Based on the results of preliminary national research there are 142,200 children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently involved in domestic work, small business and agriculture, particularly in rural areas.
General Director of Statistic Elias dos Santos said this research was very important in order for the government to reduce child labor in Timor-Leste.
“There is a high prevalence of child labor in Dili, Baucau, Ermera and Bobonaro municipalities,” he said at a recent national workshop on child labor in Dili.
The data is based on the analysis of 1755 sample households as part of the 2015 census.
He said it was the first research on the issue conducted in Timor-Leste, and was supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Timor-Leste Trade Union Federation (KSTL) representative Jose da Conceição da Costa said the data reflected the reality in Timor as many children were involved in the informal job market.
“Children in every municipality are involved in these different types of work, [so] which one can be eliminated first? We cannot do it all at once, we must do it step by step,” he said.
He therefore urged the government to identify the priorities for eliminating child labor in agriculture and other sectors.
He said it was possible for children to do light work as long as it did not impact on their health and education.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State for Vocational Training Policy and Employment (SEPFOPE), Ilidio Ximenes da Costa, acknowledged that there was a high prevalence of child labor in Timor-Leste.
He said the government was currently preparing a national action plan to be used as a guideline when implementing government and stakeholder programs aimed at reducing child labor in Timor-Leste.
“To change people’s minds we should hold a campaign on social media and TV broadcasts,” he said.
He also called for all relevant entities to make a contribution to raising awareness about children’s rights.
