The Struggle Against Child Labor Continues

This Wednesday the Dominican government introduced a road map for making the Dominican Republic a child-labor-free country. Those involved in the initiative include the Office of the First Lady, the Secretary of State and Labor, the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI in Spanish), employers, workers and members of civil society.

“in the fight to eradicate child labor in its worst forms, the country has made significant advances.”

The announcement was made at an event, lead by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, in the Green Room of the National Palace, attended by Dominican First Lady Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández and Labor Minister, Max Puig, according to the Presidential Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

In his speech, Secretary of State Puig confirmed that “in the fight to eradicate child labor in its worst forms, the country has made significant advances.”

Nevertheless, Puig pointed out that an applicable judicial framework for child labor still needs to be introduced, one that is made up of a single judicial body that abides by international treaties and human rights. He also recognized that a high percentage of the population continues to be tolerant of the practice of child and adolescent labor.

First Lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, added that important programs dealing with the development of Dominican children in all its aspects are being undertaken by her office. She pointed out that the consequences of child labor perpetuate poverty and insecurity in the affected areas.

Others present at the event included members of the National Directive Committee for the Eradication of Child Labor, members of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and labor leaders.