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FOUNDATION
STATEMENT
To contribute to the elimination of the use of child labour
in the tobacco-growing sector so that children are provided with
an upbringing that gives them the best chance in all aspects of
life.
ECLT FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES
Background
The largest use of child labour worldwide takes place in the agricultural
sector and tobacco growing has its share. Rural children, in particular
girls, tend to become economically active at an early age. These
children are not only exposed to health risks caused by rural poverty
but also those associated with work in tobacco fields, which include:
poor sanitary conditions, exposure to toxic pesticides, high rate
of occupational injuries (cuts and wounds from tools, eye infection,
skin and respiratory disorders, insect and snake bites) and long
hours of work and ensuing fatigue.
Child labour in tobacco growing - as in other agricultural sectors
- results from a number of factors including:
- poverty: waged workers, day labourers, tenant farmers and
small farmers are often forced to put their own children at
work to ensure an adequate crop yield and supplement a low income
- cheap labour: landowners prefer to offer work to children
as they are a cheaper source of labour than adults
- cultural environment: traditions and perceptions cause parents
to prefer the short-term gains of putting their children to
work over the long-term gains of putting them in school. If
children are nevertheless sent to school, preference might be
given to the education of boys
- legal aspect: appropriate legislation and effective means
of law enforcement are often lacking
- no better alternatives: an alternative to work (i.e., schooling)
is often lacking. Where schools exist, the cost of attending
(fees, transportation, books, uniforms) is beyond the reach
of rural families
Principles
The ECLT
Foundation members agree that the needs of each country differ
and local solutions should be found within a framework including
the following principles:
1) children have the right to schooling, a full
family life and a safe and healthy upbringing;
2) children under the minimum legal age or under
the age recognised by the relevant ILO Conventions should
not be employed in the production of tobacco leaf;
3) as many tobacco enterprises are family-run,
it may be possible that children take part in routine chores as
part of family life for the development of craft skills. This must
not extend to potentially hazardous tasks using machinery and agrochemicals
and must not impede proper educational development including school
attendance.
The ECLT Foundation members are committed to support
local initiatives, share best practice and work with all relevant
stakeholders to eliminate child labour in tobacco growing.
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