Child labour - a gross violation of human rights

Botswana recognises child labour as a gross violation of human rights because it hinders the proper growth of children as they miss crucial stages of their development.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi said this may lead to lifelong physical or psychological damage. She said there is a strong link between poverty and child labour.

“Further, child labour perpetuates poverty across generations by keeping the children of the poor out of school and limiting their prospects for upward social mobility. The end result is that the children of my maid will also become maids to my children. This is wrong and it must end,” Mokgethi said.

Mokgethi, who was speaking at the joint Regional Child Rights Conference and the Children’s Helpline Summit in Gaborone stated that in Botswana child labour is prevalent in three sectors: agriculture, livestock and domestic work in urban areas involving young girls.

“We are aware that child labour mostly occurs because of lack of knowledge and cultural misperceptions regarding distinctions between child labour and children’s daily chores,' the minister said.

Mokgethi told the conference that over the last few years, government has intimately engaged with the United States embassy through its Bureau of International Labour Affairs (ILAB); together with Non–Governmental

Organisations such as Humana People to People Botswana.

“Through such engagements, we were able to address the problem of child labour through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies and social programmes. The Government of Botswana ratified the International Labour Organisation's Labour Inspection Convention and the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention,” Mokghthi said.

She said her ministry has also provided comprehensive information on its labour law enforcement efforts and conducted targeted inspections in key districts where there were reports of child labour.

“I am proud to announce that our efforts were not in vain; as in 2022, Botswana received a 'moderate advancement' rating for its efforts to eliminate child labour. This was a clear demonstration of our commitment to addressing

child labour and protecting children's rights”, she revealed.

She said they are also committed to adhering to all the international conventions that the country has signed, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“As Botswana, we are committed to ensuring that our children enjoy safe passage to productive adulthood. We will jealously uphold our children’s inalienable rights to health, education and shelter. We will protect our children from physical and emotional harm as well as inhuman and degrading treatment.”

According to the minister, in their quest to become a High-Income economy, they will continue to invest smartly and effectively in the children to build first rate human capital.

“We will emulate countries like Singapore, Japan, China and Norway which are today enjoying their demographic dividends because they invested heavily on their future human capital – their children”.

She said children are the most determinative factor of the country’s future competitiveness, development and its prosperity.

Mokgethi indicated that it is only through commitment, perseverance and deliberate action that “we will be able to nurture and protect our children.”

She explained that this is not only the responsibility of Government, but all, including leaders, parents and duty bearers. She called on everyone to play their strategic roles on ensuring the well-being of children.