MOGADISHU, 14 June, 2021 (TON): Somalia, UNICEF and the International Labor Organization (ILO) agreed to enhance efforts in minimizing child labor in the country.

On Saturday, on the occasion of World Day against Child Labor, in a joint statement they said, ending child labor can only happen through a collective systematic approach with a strong understanding of the root causes and a legal framework that prohibits children from entering the workforce at an early age.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Abdiwahab Ugas Khalif "Even more concerning, children who are recruited by militias or groups are forced into dangerous life-threatening roles such as soldiers, cooks, and cleaners."

Although, Somali is successful in reducing the rate of child labor in the country, however, could not eradicate it completely.

Keeping in view, Khalif called for a well-developed national policy against the child labor.  

The UNICEF and ILO said even though there are different reasons behind child labor in Somalia, the government is working hard in close partnership with the international community to identify and eliminate child labor from Somalia.