CHILD LABOUR IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR IN GHANA Presentation on Emerging Concerns of Fishing Communities 4 to 6 July 2006 SESC, Fortaleza, Brazil By David.

CHILD LABOUR IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR IN GHANA

Presentation onEmerging Concerns of Fishing Communities 4 to 6 July 2006SESC, Fortaleza, BrazilBy David Eli – tescod2@yahoo.com

PRESENTATION OUTLINEIntroductionConventions/Legislative ProvisionsThe Children’s ActEnforcementInterventionsDraft Documentary

INTRODUCTIONChild Labour stemmed from deep-rooted cultural traditions (espoused in Africa) – it was to give training to young children in farming & other vocations to enhance their knowledge/skills for any future career.Changes in local economies reinforced by demographic distortions created by HIV/AIDS has given a new face to child labour in Africa.Although multi-faceted, child labour is mainly the product of religious beliefs (Trokosi),which is fading, and poverty.

CONVENTIONS/LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS

1. UN General Assembly Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989.

2. ILO Convention for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour,1999(ratified in 2000).

3. African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

4. Children's Act of 1998

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THE CHILDREN’S ACTChildren under 15 are not to be employed.The act sets 13 years as the minimum age for light work. Those under 18 are prohibited from carrying out hazardous/night jobsEmployers (formal sector) to keep register of ages of young employees.

ENFORCEMENTAlthough Ghana has a well-established legal framework on children’s rights, the implementation and enforcement processes are weak.The Criminal Code is not specific on child trafficking so abusers get away . . Ritual servitude is illegal but “trokosi” is considered voluntary and therefore not illegal

INTERVENTIONS 2001 –Institutional Capacity bldg. for the Elimination of Child Labor in Ghana – ILO-IPEC, Gov’t/Int./Non-Gov’t orgs. 2004 -Launch 6-yr. $5.1 million ILO-IPEC Timebound Program, which sets time frames for progress on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor in Ghana. Ghana and 8 West and Central African start a 3-year, USD 4.3 million ILO-IPEC funded project to prevent trafficking in children and provide rescue and rehabilitation services to child trafficking victims in the sub region. 2003 - The government partnered the IOM in a 21-month project to return and reintegrate children trafficked to the fishing sector in Yeji.

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