Moldova signs Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention

The Government, the National Confederation of Patronage and the Confederation of Free Trade Unions “Solidaritatea” (Solidarity) have signed the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The Convention was examined by the National Commission for collective negotiations and approved following tripartite consultations on the basis of joint contributions from the representatives of the governmental structures and civil society. The document has the status of law and will improve protection of children against hazardous labour included in a list of prohibited works for children in Moldova and attached to the Convention. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has provided technical assistance in the process of signing the Convention within the frameworks of the International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour in Moldova. Sergiu Sainciuc, deputy-minister of Economy and Commerce, concurrently the chair of the National Committee for Elimination of Child Labour, has previously stated that by ratifying the Convention no. 182 of ILO concerning the Prohibition and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, Moldova commits itself to taking immediate action to prohibit employment of children under age of 15 in agriculture. The legislation of Moldova outlines that only minors who attained the age of 16 may be employed; those who reached 15 may be employed with parental consent. The governmental authorities in concert with the Patronages and Trade Unions have previously stated that they would take steps to counter involvement of child labour in agriculture. This phenomenon is mainly driven by poverty, which makes the parents to resort to the help of their children. On the other hand, child labour is preferred by employers for financial reasons. Workforce shortage, limited access to modern technology and markets, migration of workforce from rural areas are among the other causes of this phenomenon. Statistics from ILO show that most of children are employed in agriculture (70.4%). In many instances, children are exposed to high temperatures, toxic environment, injuries and work-related stress.