On the World Day against Child Labor observed every June 12, Save the Children Philippines calls for end to exploitative and harmful work for children. “No child should be engaged in harmful work,” said SCP Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alberto Muyot.
Muyot, who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education , said that said children who live in poverty are the first to suffer the consequences of the economic impact of the pandemic. “We believe that every child has an inherent and inviolable right to health and survival, to play and learn and to be protected from all forms of abuse and violence including exploitative work,” he stressed.
SCP sad that deprived and marginalized children – including those from Indigenous People’s communities, children with disabilities, out of school children and youth, children in conflict affected areas, those living in areas prone to natural disasters, and those from low income families – are more “vulnerable to exploitation and harmful work.”Meanwhile, SCP noted that children who live in poverty are the most exposed to shocks and calamities in urban settings.