Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A project to provide technical assistance to increase national capacity for child labour prevention in Vietnam was launched in Hanoi on November 20.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan said that working at an early age will negatively affect children’s psychological development and health, as well as reduce their opportunities to go to school and have sustainable jobs in the future.
Statistics from a national survey conducted by the ministry, the General Statistics Office and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2012 showed that Vietnam had around 1.75 million child and juvenile labourers.
In recent years, Vietnam has made remarkable achievements in minimising child labour. It has built a firm legal framework and policies in accordance with international standards on labour, Lan said, adding that the country has also carried out several programmes and projects on this issue at both national and local levels.
ILO Vietnam Country Director Chang-Hee Lee stated that child labour is a complicated problem, requiring a comprehensive solution and joint efforts of people from all walks of life to eliminate it.
The project will be implemented in the garment and handicraft sectors in Ho Chi Minh City, the agricultural and aquaculture sectors in the southern province of An Giang and the handicraft sector in Hanoi between 2015 and 2019.
The US Department of Labour will send 8 million USD through the ILO, while Vietnam will contribute 1.2 million USD.
The project will help raise the capacity of Vietnamese offices and organisations involved in defining and addressing child labour, while increasing public awareness of child labour and its dangers.
It is expected to benefit around 5,000 children who are at risk of taking up work by providing them with education services and improving working conditions for those who are of working age. Additionally, nearly 2,000 underprivileged families will also receive support to improve their living conditions.-VNA
