Passi City in child labor priority list
For having the most number of child laborers in Iloilo, the component city of Passi is placed in the priority list of recipients of the International Labour Organization-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC).
ILO-IPEC representative Sol Ebarle said they chose Passi City to be the recipient of their livelihood and training program. Though, he could not exactly say the exact figures of those children working in sugar cane plantations.
Children who are working in sugar cane plantation is only one of the six worst forms of child labor in the country today. The other worst form of child labor are children who are in mining and quarrying, deep-sea fishing, and pyrotechnics production, which are highly dangerous and children who are into commercial sexual exploitation and domestic work.
The ILO-IPEC's action plan is based on three pillars -- supporting and mainstreaming national responses to child labor; deepening and strengthening the worldwide movement against child labor and further integrating child labor concerns in over-all ILO strategies to promote decent work.
Ebarle said they will help the affected children to enroll in vocational trainings such as motorcycle repair and maintenance and get involved in the vegetable production. Children who are 15 to 17 years old can avail of the vocational training.
Classes for motorcycle repair will be taught at the Passi Trade School. Instructors are all TESDA-trained. While, a non-government organization will handle the vegetable production.
He added that they work in partnership with trade unions, government and non-government organizations to upgrade the lives of the children who are considered child laborers. The roots of child labor cases starts with poverty and the institution of livelihood programs will uplift the lives of the children.
Aside from Passi City, the ILO-IPEC has already introduced trainings on tractor repair and maintenance and automotive repair in areas in Negros Occidental. The four areas La Carlota City, Binalbagan, Isabela and Himamaylan. The training has already started in January 2006 and it is facilitated by the Sugar Industry Foundation.