11 May 2005

Introduction

Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor

June 12 marks the fourth annual World Day Against Child Labor. This special day has been set aside to help raise awareness of the millions of children around the world who are forced to go to work instead of go to school. This day also offers hope by highlighting the many programs and policies available to end the worst forms of child labor and send millions of child laborers back to the classroom.

As President George W. Bush has said: "All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence." But too many children in the world are involved in work that is robbing them of their childhood and damaging their physical and mental development. This is especially true of children who are forced into armed conflict or abused for commercial sexual exploitation.

This year's World Day Against Child Labor will focus on a child labor problem that has not gotten enough attention: the estimated one million children who work in small-scale mining and quarrying around the world. These children face cruel exploitation, working long hours underground exposed to damaging particles in the air and dangerous toxins. Some youngsters are forced to handle explosives, a dangerous and daunting task that requires expert training and high skill levels for adults let alone children.

This publication explores a broad range of issues, from the causes of child labor to the actions being taken by governments to stop the trafficking of children. It highlights innovative approaches employed by countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to better the outlook for their children. We cannot give these children back what was taken from them. But we can work together to help rescue these children and create environments in which families can thrive without putting the youngest and most vulnerable members of society at risk.

From the May 2005 edition of eJournal USA