Authorities to tackle problem of child labour

Ethiopia has vowed to combat the problem of child labour in the country, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said on Wednesday.

The Ethiopian parliament has backed an international convention that aims to wipe out the “worst forms” of child labour and could result jail sentences for businesses employing children.

It means the country must now “design and implement programmes of action” to tackle the scale of the problem, the ILO said.

Governments who sign up to the ILO’s 'Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention' must also provide support for children.

The scale of child labour in Ethiopia is enormous due to crippling poverty faced by millions of people in the country.

Half of children under the age of 14 work on average 34 hours a week, and two thirds do not go to school. The convention states that the worst forms of child labour are slavery, compulsory recruitment in armed conflict and work in illicit businesses.

Michel Gozo, the head of the ILO in Ethiopia, said that children are also forced into prostitution and trafficking.

“The ratification of this convention reflects the strong commitment of the Ethiopian government to put an immediate end to the worst forms of child labour,” he said.

The Ethiopian House of Representatives – the legislative body of the country - adopted the convention which applies to everyone under the age of 18.