By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives is deliberating a bill seeking to outlaw child labor throughout the country.
The bill was introduced by Sinoe County Representative, Thomas Romeo Quioh who serves as the chairman of the Committee on Education and Public Administration which he underscored the gravity of child labor in Liberia amid concerns about the welfare of young children who are often pushed into the labor market.
He informed plenary saying, “Many children have been forced to take on adult responsibilities by becoming breadwinners for their families on a daily basis.”
According to him, the immediate action on his proposed bill is essential to curb the practice and protect children from exploitation, and emphasized, “The issues of child Labor is alarming in our country wherein Children have become breadwinners for their individual families daily.”
He also expressed his optimism that the Legislature would give the bill swift and thorough consideration to ensure its passage into law.
This initiative is in line with international efforts to eliminate child labor and uphold the rights of children around the world.
By enacting this legislation, Liberia would be taking a significant step towards protecting the well-being and future prospects of its younger population.
Human rights groups and child advocacy organizations have expressed support for the bill, calling it a crucial measure to protect vulnerable children and if passed, the legislation could pave the way for a safer and more equitable future for Liberia’s youth.
The proposed bill has been forwarded to the Gender, Labor, and Judiciary Committees for evaluation and is expected to be presented to the plenary floor for a vote within two weeks.
