 (illustrative photo: nongnghiep.vn) |
Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, says the child labor rate in Vietnam is not high, and has decreased year after year. A national survey on child labor found that the rate of working children fell from 15.5% in 2012 to 9.1% in 2018.
“Vietnam is among the few developing countries which conducted national surveys on child labor in 2012 and 2018. Vietnam’s surveys used child labor concepts defined by the International Labor Organization Convention and international practices. The results were recognized by the ILO. Child labor, which means employing children illegally, is now 4%, lower than the overall rate in the Asia Pacific region.”
Surveys and studies show that the main reasons for child labor in Vietnam are poor families, vulnerable families, and limited awareness on the part of families of the importance of education to secure a good job and a stable income. Another reason is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has slowed economic growth, so that some children must work to help their family.
To reduce child labor, the Vietnamese government has focused on universal education, literacy incentives, and ensuring equal access to education for ethnic children, children with disabilities, and children from poor or disadvantaged families. Social policies have been strengthened and poverty reduction policies have given priority to children. Children at risk of becoming child laborers are given access to appropriate vocational training and job opportunities.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: “Working at the early age can affect a child’s physical and mental development and reduce their access to education. It will reduce the quality of human resources available in the future. Preventing, reducing, and eliminating child labor needs the participation of everyone. Families, communities, businesses, and schools must raise their awareness.”
As Vietnam integrates into the global economy, it must be aware of international commitments concerning child labor and implement its own commitments to prevent, reduce and eliminate all forms of child labor.