Children and Youth in Action against Child Labour

On the World Day against Child Labour, hundreds of children and youth engaged across the country to increase awareness of authorities and community about the day and urgency to end child labour and promote education opportunities for all children.

Through their rallies, messages, school discussions, posters, games and artworks, children and youth from 6 regions of Albania, supported by Save the Children, drew attention of local authorities and public on the right of all children to be protected from child labour and  highlighted education as a core right in the fight against child labour.

To support children and youth movement against this issue Save the Children in collaboration with UNICEF released a press statement and draw the attention of the authorities to take concrete actions against child labour for preventing children from all harmful forms of labour and to provide quality, free and inclusive education for all boys and girls.

The 2012 INSTAT report found that 57,000 children in Albania (8.2% of those between 5-17 years old) were economically active. Children aged 5-13 years - who should not work at all - comprise 28.5 per cent of working children. Of all child labourers, around 80 per cent work in agriculture, and are usually unpaid because they labour in their family farms.
The 2014 joint national study by Save the Children and UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, estimated that there are about 2.500 children in street situation in Albania. These children are mainly engaged as labourers, mostly begging and washing car windscreens. The more children work, the more likely it is that they will be absent from school or drop out altogether.
Education is a fundamental right for all children. Albanian law  prescribe that children between ages 6- 16, should go to school. The lack of access to quality and safe education is a key push factor for children to engage in work, including harmful work. This is why education is key to prevent child exploitation and improve the quality of life for children who work’
In the joint Press Statement Save the Children and UNICEF highlighted that government should accelerate efforts to:
• Ensure that all children, especially the most vulnerable groups, have equal access to the essential education resources they need, such as textbooks and equipment, to fulfil their educational opportunities.
• Ensure that girls and other vulnerable groups have equal access to VET provision, especially through the provision of sufficient short course vocational training that is relevant, appropriate and properly delivered.
• Ensure for all children, especially the most vulnerable groups have access to an effective child protection system able to prevent and respond to all forms of violence abuse and exploitation and exploitation.