Francis Kadiri, Abuja.
‘Child labour remains a significant issue in the mining sector, with Nigeria having the highest number of child labourers among ECOWAS countries,” a 2004 Report of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has revealed.
According to the report, which was validated by Nigerian mining industry stakeholders in Abuja, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, an estimated 10.5 million children are toiling under different exploitative conditions in Nigeria despite the enactment of the Child Rights Act of 2003, which prohibits child labour.
It was noted that ECOWAS instruments prescribe legislation on gender issues in the mineral value chain, including equity in opportunities, protection for women and men, sensitivities to different roles of women and vulnerabilities, and eradicating child labour.
While saying that regional instruments and the Nigerian regime are aligned on issues of gender mainstreaming and child labour, the report pointed out that Nigeria’s Labour Act, 1974, regulates work types and hours for women, prohibiting them from underground mining or certain work hours. (s. 55 and 56).
According to the report, the revised gender policy promotes gender equality and empowerment of children, adolescents, and women.
“The extractive sector is male dominated. The petroleum sector is male-dominated, with women accounting for 15% of the 55,800 workers.
The report stated: “The Ministry of Labour should amend the Labour Act of 1974 to remove discriminatory provisions restricting the right of women to work in the mining sector,” adding that child labour remains a pervasive problem in the extractive sector.
Discussing a way out, the report said “the relevant MDAs can, with effective implementation of policies and laws, address the problem.”
“The plight of persons with disabilities (PWD) should be addressed through massive sensitization by the National Orientation Agency, empowerment and effective implementation of existing policies and laws,” it added.
