Every child deserves a safe and loving family, free from abuse and should not be deprived of an opportunity to go to school, play and simply be a child. However, this is not always the case, and the commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June, is a reminder that even now many children across the globe are forced to work at an early age.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 138 million children were involved in child labour around the world in 2024. Child labour also remains an issue in South Africa; despite the many laws and protections we have in place.
Child labour limits the children from reaching their full potential. Even more disturbing is that many of these children drop out from schools and end up being trapped in a cycle of poverty.
To prevent children from being exploited, our government continues to fight against child labour through the laws, national action plans and awareness campaigns. The South African Constitution provides that every child in South Africa has a right to be protected from exploitative labour practices. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) also criminalises the employment of a child younger than 15, except in the performing arts with a permit from the Department of Employment and Labour.
Our courts are also taking a tough stance against those involved in child labour. Earlier this year for instance, the Gauteng South Division Court found seven Chinese nationals guilty on 158 counts including human trafficking and child labour. They are in the process of being sentenced and the National Prosecuting Authority is pushing for the harshest possible sentence.
We are also making strides towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of eradicating child labour through the implementation of the Child Labour Programme of Action (CLPA). CLPA is a plan that outlines enforcement actions that must be taken to eliminate child labour, and it involves civil society organizations, business representatives, and labour unions.
The plan has been implemented in phases since 2003 and is led by the Department of Employment and Labour. In 2024, a series of CLPA workshops were held around the country where participants discussed improving enforcement of existing laws, strengthening collaboration efforts and addressing socio-economic issues such as poverty that lead to child labour.
Government has also adopted a multifaceted approach that addresses major drivers of child labour which include poverty, lack of access to quality education, and inadequate social protection. The Child Support grant, Foster Child grant and Care Dependency grant are a vital safety net to many vulnerable families. Our National School Nutrition Programme, which has been rolled out to more than 80 percent of schools ensures that children are not hungry at school, while the expansion of no fee schools is intended to keep children in schools.
While these wide range of interventions are helping, we call on employers particularly in the agricultural sector to adhere to all legislation and to comply with the implemented minimum wage across all sectors. Everybody must adhere to all laws and prescripts and those who break the law should be punished.
Child labour goes against government’s commitment of ensuring a better future for our children. It tramples on children’s rights which are underpinned by the Children’s Act and we all have a role to play in ending this plight in our society. We can report all incidents of child labour to our local police stations and ensure that children grow up in a country that protects their wellbeing.
Phumzile Mahlangu is an Assistant Director Communication Resource Centre within Government Communication Information System.
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