On World Day Against Child Labour, June 12, Holy Father Pope Francis tweeted against those who rob children of the joys of childhood, forcing them into hazardous jobs. This Year the World Day Against Child Labour and the April 28 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, shine a spotlight on the global need to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour.
The Pontiff warned in a post on his Twitter account “Children must be able to play, study and grow in a peaceful environment. Woe to anyone who stifles their joyful impulse to hope!” His Holiness Pope Francis said that “It is a scourge that many people instead of letting children play make slaves of them. A serene childhood allows children to look forward with confidence to life and the future.”
Worldwide 218 million children between 5 and 17 years are in employment. Of these, 152 million are victims of child labour; almost half of them (73 million) work in hazardous child labour. These children toil in mines and fields, factories and homes, are exposed to pesticides and other toxic substances, or carry heavy loads or work long hours. Many of them work in slave-like conditions and are forced into illicit activities such as drug trafficking, prostitution and armed conflict. They risk lifelong physical and psychological consequences.
