Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour has called for increased public awareness of the activities of the ministry’s National Committee on Child Labour (NCCL), as it strives to protect children from exploitation.
He made the request during a NCCL meeting in Phnom Penh on March 18, according to the ministry’s social media post.
“Strengthening the dissemination of their work will increase public awareness of the efforts of the national committee, as well as those of the government, to promote anti-child labour activities. It will make a significant contribution to the comprehensive, effective protection of children,” he was quoted as saying.
In addition to increasing awareness, he also urged the NCCL to be more proactive and demonstrate the progress and improvements that are being made regarding the fight against child labour.
Am Sam Ath, operations director at rights group LICADHO, said the minister’s calls to promote anti-child labour activities are sensible, noting that increasing the knowledge of the public, state institutions and the private sector are an important part of preventing the ongoing use of child labour.
In addition to sharing its work, he suggested that the ministry take action against any factories or manufacturing enterprises which employ illegal child workers or exploit child labour.
“Disseminating the strict measures which are in place – and ensuring they are implemented – is an effective way of preventing the exploitation of child labour,” he said.
Sam Ath urged the NCCL to closely monitor brick kilns and the employment conditions of domestic staff.
He acknowledged that the ministry has made efforts to promote anti-child labour activities in the past, but warned that cases of direct or indirect child exploitation may still be occurring.
The ministry said in a recent report that in 2022 and 2023, it organised 194 events to disseminate the Kingdom’s anti-child labour laws. The events were held at textile, garment, footwear and travel goods factories, as well as brick kilns and light manufacturing businesses. It estimated that the education campaigns reached 7,089 people, including 2,913 women.
