Member states of the Economic Community Of West African states, ECOWAS, have been charged to initiate and implement laws to tackle child labour and trafficking in the region.
The Representative of the Director, International Labour Organisation, Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Mr. David Dorkenoo, said global records showed that 152 million children were victims of child trafficking.
He made the call at the ongoing Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.
Mr. Dorkenoo said that the ILO had adopted several international instruments aimed at fighting child labour, adding that majority of ECOWAS member states had ratified two of the most important conventions and protocols.
He, however, complained about the low level of implementation of laws relating to child labour and trafficking in most West African countries.
“We have noticed that many of our countries have developed very good legislation to address issues of child labour and trafficking within the West Africa region.
“Some have gone further to develop domestic legislation to give meaning to the conventions they have been ratified, but unfortunately, the implementations of these laws have been a challenge.
“We want to emphasise the need for members of parliament in West Africa to support institutions working on issues of child labour in their respective countries with resources and legislation and empower them so that they will be able to prosecute offenders.”
Mr. Dorkenoo also called for enhanced prosecution of culprits found guilty to serve as deterrent to others engaged in the act.
On her part, the ECOWAS Commissioner, Social Affairs and Gender, Dr. Siga Jagne, said the commission had put in place an action plan to tackle the menace of child trafficking and labour in the region.
She said ECOWAS was working with member states to ensure implementation of legislation on child labour and trafficking.
“We have gone far because we have the laws which are very critical and we have our partners in all the countries we work with to implement; you know implementation is a major challenge.”
“There are some countries that still need to do more work and for religious reasons, some areas are more difficult than others.”
“The role of the parliament, even at the national level, is critical because they are the ones who ensure that their countries ratify and implement the laws.”
Dr. Jagne urged ECOWAS member countries to work in harmony to protect the rights of children.