Vietnam intensifies battle against child labor

In a move to combat the plague of child labor, the Ministry of Information and Communications held a conference in Hanoi on September 19, rallying the press and stakeholders to amplify prevention and reduction efforts.

Hanoi aims to effectively wipe out child labor

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Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children Affairs under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), underscored Vietnam's robust legal framework prohibiting child exploitation, citing the Law on Children 2016, the revised Penal Code 2015, and the amended Labor Code 2019. The Prime Minister also approved a program to prevent and reduce illegal child labor for the 2021-2025 period, with orientations to 2030.

Vietnam intensifies battle against child labor. (Photo for illustration)

The MoLISA has launched intervention models in Hanoi, An Giang, and Ho Chi Minh City to safeguard children from hazardous work environments.

Establishing detection, support, and intervention networks, the ministry is determined to stem the tide of child labor. Collaboration is key, as evidenced by the coordination regulation signed earlier this year with relevant ministries and organizations, outlining prevention strategies for the 2024-2025 period, with orientations to 2030.

However, child labor in the informal sector is difficult to monitor and detect while the devastating impacts of pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change present formidable challenges. Economic instability, job losses, and the rise of online exploitation have exacerbated the risk of children and adolescents falling prey to labor and trafficking, with those in remote areas particularly vulnerable.

Compounding these issues are the inadequate number and limited capacity of local staff to detect cases, coupled with financial constraints hindering prevention and intervention models.

Looking ahead, the MoLISA is committed to raising public awareness of international commitments and child labor issues in trade agreements, with a special focus on high-risk sectors such as agriculture, supply chains, and family-run businesses.

Leveraging modern technology and the innovative SCREAM methodology, which advocates for children's rights through education, arts and media, the ministry is set to enhance international cooperation in this battle.

Source: VNA