Durban, May 16 (IPS) – “I spoke with leaders of rich countries to address the post-pandemic recession. We must work to provide social protection for the disadvantaged. in low-income countries and the focus is on children, education, health and protection. It’s not a huge investment compared to what we’re going to lose – an entire generation.” – People Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi: Only US$35 billion a year – equivalent to 10 days of military spending – will ensure all children in all countries benefit from social protection, Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel laureate speaks at the 5th Global Conference on Elimination of Child Labor.
This is too small a price, he says, considering the dire consequences of the increase in child labor since 2016, after years of declining child labor.
An estimated 160 000 million children are in child labor, and unless there is a drastic change, another 9 million are expected to join their ranks.
Satyarthi is one of the panelists on setting global priorities for the abolition of child labor. The panel included the International Labor Organization (ILO) DG Guy Ryder, South African Labor and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi, James Quincey, Coca Cola CEO, Union 8.7 President Anousheh Karver and Commissioner. European Union Jutta Urpilainen.
The panel discussed child labor in the context of steady labor and youth employment deficits. It identifies pressing global challenges and priorities for the international community.
Satyarthi said $35 million is not a huge request. US$22 billion is also not needed to ensure education for all children. This is equivalent to how much the American people spent on cigarettes in six days, he said.
Satyarthi says it’s a trait that the G7, the world’s wealthiest nations, have never argued about child labor – something he intends to change.
Panelists attributed the increase in child labor to a number of factors, including a lack of political will, lack of attention from rich countries, and cultural and economic factors.
When asked how he remained optimistic in the face of the bleak picture of increasing rates of child labor. Satyarthi told IPS that having been at war for 40 years he saw and was pleased to see a decline in child labor until 2016 – when the problem started to escalate again.
He said: “I strongly believe in human freedom. The world will gradually move towards a more compassionate society, sometimes faster, sometimes slower.”
Satyarthi, together with organizations such as the ILO, has succeeded in putting the issue of child labor on the international agenda. Through his background and collaborations with other NGOs, he has brought the world’s attention to this potential scourge.
He believes child labor will be eliminated despite recent setbacks.
“I hope because there was no ILO program when I started 40 years ago. Child labor is not seen as a problem, but gradually people realize that it is wrong and evil – even even a crime. Therefore, 40 years is not a great term in human history. This plague has existed for centuries.”
However, he recognized the urgent need to prevent an escalation of child labor.
“The next ten years are even more important because now we have the means, the power, the technology and we know the solution,” says Satyarthi. to speed things up and give hope. Bring optimism. Matters come first and that’s why we call on the globalized markets to be compassionate. There are many things that divide us, but one thing we agree on: the happiness of our children. “
Satyarthi said that to meet the SDG deadline of 2025, he and other Nobel laureates and world leaders are working hard to ensure that child labor starts to decrease again.
“We as a group of Nobel laureates and world leaders are working on two fronts. One is children’s fair share of budget allocations and policies,” he said, referring to
The group engaged with governments to ensure that children were given their fair share of budgets and resources.
They are then pushing governments on social protection, which he believes will shed light.
“We’ve seen in different countries, social protection – help through school feeding programs, employment programs and conditional subsidy programs to ensure that children can access schools, with proven success in reducing child labor.”
Nobel laureates have knocked on the doors of leaders of rich nations.
“I spoke to the leaders of rich countries to address the post-pandemic recession. We must work to protect society for the disadvantaged in low-income countries. and focus on children, education, health and protection. It’s not a huge investment compared to what we’re going to lose – an entire generation.”
Satyarthi said he was excited by their response to efforts to get governments and the private sector to join the fight against child labour.
“I am very optimistic to say that many governments and EU leaders are not just listening – they are talking about it. Just yesterday, I was pleased that President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke very clearly on this issue. and almost everyone talks about this. But it takes months, years to get there.”
And Satyarthi won’t stop anytime soon. With Children’s Award Winners and Leaders project, he and his colleagues resolved to get the world to sit up and find the will to make sure every child can make it through childhood.
Report of the United Nations Office IPS
This is part of a series of stories published by IPS during the 5th Global Conference on Eliminating Child Labor in Durban.
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Office on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service
