In a bid to find ways of eliminating Child labour in Tea Plantations, the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) , with support from International Labour Organisations, has embarked on a campaign to sensitize managers of tea companies and create awareness on the dangers and repercussions of employing Children under 18 years.
Child labour worryingly increasing in tea estates
According to Harriet Auma, the Coordinator Child labour Projects at FUE, Child Labour is greatly increasing in the country.
She revealed that in tea and coffee growing areas, Child labour issue stands at at 40%, and that about 160 million children globally, are engaged in child labour.
“There is hence a need to join efforts and fight for their rights to education and safe environment.” She remarked
Call to Respect Human Rights
During the Child Labour Due Deligence meeting held at Fort Breeze Hotel yesterday April 4, 2023, Jackie Banya, the National Project Coordinator of International Labour Organisation, disclosed that the vice is a human rights issue which cannot be tolerated.
She further stated that the very vice, destroys human resource at infancy, and affects the mental, moral and physical well-being of a child.
According to Jackie, the vice of child labour is as a result of poverty and cultural practices where people think a child should learn to work without putting into consideration the fact that children ought to be given light work equivalent to their strength.
Richard Cliff Mirembe, the Kabarole district Labour Officer cautioned tea Companies and out-growers against the vice, saying once they are found violating children rights, they will be reprimanded in accordance to the labour laws.
