Organized Ministry of Labor Employment and Social Security today, Wednesday, is an information day on the occasion of the celebration of the World Day against Child Labour.
In a speech delivered by the Secretary-General, Akli Barkati, on behalf of Minister of Labour Employment and social security. He emphasized the great interest that Algeria attaches to childhood.
In his speech, the Secretary-General highlighted Algeria’s commitment to eliminating all forms of exploitation of its children. And striving to build a better future in which the values of cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the world are embodied. He put everyone before their obligations, and this is the slogan that the organization chose for this year: “Let us respect our obligations: let us put an end to child labor!”
He added that Algeria is making tremendous efforts in the field of protecting and promoting children’s rights and is committed to its permanent presence in international forums. And its ratification of international agreements and treaties related to the protection of children’s rights. Especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Health of the Child. In addition to International Labor Conventions No. 138 regarding the minimum age for employment, and No. 182 of 1999 regarding the prohibition of the worst forms of child labor and immediate measures to eliminate it.
As the Secretary-General mentioned, there is an arsenal of national legislative and regulatory texts devoted to the principle of defending the basic rights of the child. And limit all forms of its exploitation, as these texts provide comprehensive protection devoted in particular to:
- The Algerian Constitution of 2020, especially Articles 66 and 71 of it, which enshrine rights. Social protection of children and prevention of their professional exploitation.
- Law No. 90-11 on Labor Relations, which sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years. Preventing the night employment of minors (from 16 to 18 years old) and prohibiting their use in dangerous work. Or those that negatively affect their health or affect their morals. (Article 15).
- Law No. 08-04 containing the National Education Guidance Law. Which guarantees compulsory and free education for children and punishes parents who violate this obligation.
- Law No. 15-12 relating to child protection and specifying the mechanisms for this.
- Executive Decree No. 16-334 establishing the National Authority for Childhood Protection and Promotion and specifying how it will be organized and operate.
He added that the sector is working to strengthen mechanisms to combat child labor through interest activities Labor Inspectorate. This supervisory body plays a pivotal role in monitoring employers’ obligations towards laws and regulations related to the protection of children. Where investigations revealed that resorting to exploiting children in paid professional activity is almost non-existent in Algeria.
From the beginning of the year 2024 until May 31, the General Labor Inspectorate services monitored and inspected 28,952 employing bodies. Affiliated to various sectors of activity, it employs 372,327 workers. Only 0.001% of cases of employment of children under the age of 16 were identified. Which were referred to the competent judicial authorities, with no case related to the worst forms of child labour.
The official noted the collaborative work between state bodies within the framework of the work of the National Sectoral Committee for the Prevention and Combat of Child Labor. Which is headed by the Labor, Employment and Social Security Sector, in addition to the National Authority for Child Protection and Promotion. With unified efforts to embody the national policy for preventing and combating child labor, within a unified and effective vision.
Finally, the speaker praised the cooperation of all actors. Including civil society and the economic sector. In strengthening national and international efforts aimed at eliminating child labor and ensuring a better future for our future generations.
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