Archbishop Makarios insists there’s ‘no room for complacency’ for World Day Against Child Labour

·

With the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic potentially pushing millions of vulnerable children into child labour, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios says “there is no room for compromise and complacency.”

World Day Against Child Labour 2020 focuses on the impact of the crisis, with an estimated 152 million children in child labour, 72 million of which are in hazardous work. 

In a public message, His Eminence says that on this day, “our thoughts and attention turn to an extremely worrying and sad phenomenon that, unfortunately, continues to plague humanity even in the 21st century.”

Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

“Tens of millions of girls and boys throughout the world, almost 10% of all children, according to the latest estimates of the International Labour Organization, instead of enjoying their innocence and tender age; instead of playing, smiling and dreaming; instead of learning at school and progressing, they are forced to waste their childhood at work, in often dangerous conditions for their health, safety, and their moral development,” His Eminence said.

His Eminence recognised that while significant steps have been taken in recent years to curb child labour, its complete elimination remains an extended task.

Elements of an integrated policy response to child labour. Photo: United Nations.

This year, the World Day is conducted as a virtual campaign and is being organised jointly with the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA) .

A joint ILO-UNICEF paper on the impact of COVID-19 on child labour looks at some of the main channels through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

“There is no room for compromise and complacency when there are still children’s faces without innocent smiles; when there are traumatised children deprived of the right to dream,” His Eminence adds in his message.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Step into the world of mental health with Georgia Cassimatis’ latest book

Greek Australian author and journalist, Georgia Cassimatis, has released a book all about exploring the world of mental health.

GOCNSW Welfare Service to put a spotlight on cyber security awareness

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s (GOCNSW) Welfare Service has organised three Cyber Security Awareness education and training workshops.

Marriage of a Greek woman abroad: What to watch out for

It is during this registration process that numerous problems arise, which are not dealt with immediately but later on.

Athena Competition Greek winners show olive oil diversity

By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold. At the 10th anniversary edition of the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition in Chania, Crete, Greece in May, 175 Greek olive oils...

Greece’s island communities face population crisis

The demographic decline in Greece is hitting its islands hard, with Lemnos and Agios Efstratios showing alarming signs of aging populations.

You May Also Like

Greek Orthodox Community of NSW students end academic year with Christmas event

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW marked the end of the academic year with End-of-Year ceremonies for its Afternoon and Saturday Schools.

National Archaeological Museum in Athens plans expansion

On Wednesday the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotaki presented the new design for the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

Manolis Androulidakis: ‘Hope to bring joy to Greeks of Australia with my music’

Manolis Androulidakis boasts that he has achieved a lot so far in his career in music, but his dreams continue.