Child Labour Concerns Ahead of World Cup in South Africa

(HN, May 17, 2010) - Organizations battling child labour have raised concerns about the vulnerability of children during the upcoming World Cup next month in South Africa.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the "economic bonanza" brought about by the soccer world's largest competition could draw many children into jobs that exposes them to exploitation.

"There is little experience in organising major international sporting events in settings where the number of poor and vulnerable children are so high," said UNICEF Representative to South Africa, Aida Girma. "Criminal syndicates may thrive during such events and target children in order to fulfil the perceived increase in demand for prostitution and drugs which the event is expected to bring."

Her comments came earlier this week after the International Labour Organisation (ILO) singled out sub-Sahara Africa as the region with the highest number of child labour cases. There had been a 28.4 percent increase in the number of cases - with 65 million, or one in every four children, said to be involved in child labour. The region also account for almost half of the world's out-of-school children.

While describing South Africa's efforts in addressing the scourge of child labour as "exemplary" - the constitution spells out the need to protect children from harmful forms of work and South Africa has amongst the highest school enrolment rates on the continent - Girma said its cities "serve as poles of economic opportunity in a context of extreme inequality, sub-regional poverty, and catastrophic levels of HIV/AIDS.

"While some child labourers are highly visible, such as street children working in the informal economy in border towns of Musina, others are hidden from view and exploited in the worst forms of child labour, for instance trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation."

UNICEF plans to establish so-called child friendly spaces at the public fan parks where the World Cup competitions will be screened for the general public: Soweto, Sandton, Port Elizabeth and Nelspruit. The areas wil be manned by trained social workers.

The child friendly spaces will not only provide recreation for children but will also provide a range of specialised services for vulnerable ones who have been separated from their families and those who have fallen victim to trafficking and exploitation. The staff will also do outreach activities, visiting night spots and other areas where children may be exploited for sex and for commercial activities.

UNICEF and the ILO would also promote adherence to international codes against commercial sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism as well as raising awareness. In addition, a "Red Card" campaign will be launched ahead of the World Cup to help disseminate strong messages about vulnerable children. They will be aimed at children, the general public, tourists and football fans.

Eradicating child labour in countries with large pockets of marginalized families can be challenging. Some countries, such as Turkey, has established vocational homes for children withdrawn from the workforce.

- Staff, files

Click here for Aida Girma's speech on this topic