AMMAN — The Ministry of Labour on Thursday staged a symbolic red card campaign against child labour to mark the World Day Against Child Labour.

 

Labour Minister Khalid Bakkar said that combating child labour is a humanitarian and developmental priority aimed at building a future worthy of children, one free from exploitation and labour and enriched by education, justice and opportunity, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

He stressed the ministry's commitment to enforcing all relevant legislation that safeguards children's right to education, removes them from the labour market and rehabilitates them so they can return to their natural place in classrooms.

 

The minister noted that Jordan joins the international community in marking the World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12, which coincides with the global "Red Card" campaign to end child labour.

 

He added that, through the National Working Group to Reduce Child Labour, Jordan has launched this year's national slogan, "Childhood Without Labour... A Future Without Limits", in addition to adopting a national logo for the occasion.

 

Bakkar said the Labour Law aligns with the two relevant international labour conventions and provides a legal framework to protect children from exploitation in the workplace.

 

He highlighted the ministry's commitment to strengthening cooperation among the three production partners, government, employers and workers, to curb child labour, stressing that the issue requires concerted efforts from all relevant governmental and non-governmental entities, as well as civil society organisations, local communities, families and employers.

 

The minister noted that the ministry launched a two-week inspection campaign this month covering all economic sectors and activities, with a particular focus on the wholesale and retail trade sector and vehicle repair businesses, to ensure compliance with Labour Law provisions related to child labour and enhance employers' adherence to the legislation.