Member of Parliament Deputy Eladio Faculto has recommended the government focus its attention on children’s issues, particularly on the problem of child labor, a practice which is thriving in Dili.
Deputy Faculto said celebrations such as International Children’s Day, held June 1, highlighted that people are required to promote the rights of children.
“It is very important to prevent children working in street; forcing them to work,” he said.
“They have no opportunity to access formal education and they become the victims of violence crimes, including sexual violation and incest.
“They must be treated in a way that is worthy and fair in society,” Deputy Faculto said in the plenary session at National Parliament.
He said in many places, children do not enjoy the full extent of their rights.
It was difficult for children to access good quality education, with many students required to travel a far distance to attend schools without basic facilities such as books, chairs and desks and basic sanitation.
Student Aida Soares asked the Minister for Education to share information about the education department’s zero tolerance policy regarding violence in schools.
“The violence still occurs today,” the 15-year-old said.
Secretary of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE) General Director Jacinto Barros Gusmao said SEPFOPE was making continued efforts to fight against the practice of forced child labor in Timor-Leste. SEPFOPE has put some efforts to fight against the children job and forced working in Timor-Leste.
Last month the council of ministers approved a law to regulate child labor and established a national commission which will work to prevent children being forced into work.
The commission will conduct a survey about the prevalence of child labor in Timor-Leste.
“SEPFOPE is training the child labor inspectors because children are supposed to go to school, not have jobs,” Gusmao said.
He said the purpose of the law was to provide direction to the national commission as well as non-custodial penalties to parents and companies which provide children with jobs.
