Andina

ILO highlights Peru's commitment to preventing, eradicating child, forced labor

00:00 | Lima, Sep. 13.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has noted the commitment and efforts undertaken by Peru aimed at preventing and eradicating child and forced labor, as these enable boosting decent labor and the construction of more equal and inclusive societies, as well as making progress on poverty reduction.

"I want to congratulate Peru, as it is not a coincidence that a country —which has immense challenges ahead— decides to become one of the first (nations) in the world —alongside the other 16 countries— to be part of Alliance 8.7 in order to achieve a world free of child and forced labor, human trafficking, and other types of modern slavery," Director of the ILO Office for the Andean Countries Philippe Vanhuynegem expressed.  

"Since 2014, with the creation of the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labor, Peru has proved, as a founding country and pioneer, that it has the firm decision to eradicate this scourge which affects childhood," he added. 

Likewise, Vanhuynegem mentioned the articulated efforts undertaken by diverse ministries —such as those of Labor-Employment Promotion, Women-Vulnerable Populations, Development-Social Inclusion, Interior, Justice-Human Rights, among others— to successfully design and execute public policies with the purpose of eliminating child labor. 

Furthermore, he underlined the institutional coordination and the progress made in the normative area, such as the amendment in the Criminal Code, aimed at categorizing and incorporating effective sanctions to offenses like human trafficking and forced labor. 

On the other hand, the ILO representative considered that allocating adequate sectoral budgets —to strengthen measures in order to achieve Goal 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals— is among Peru's challenges. 

In this sense, he stated it is difficult to speed up actions and comply with the commitments made by the Inca country with citizens and the international community if there is not a proper budget. 

Remarks were made during the launching ceremony of Alliance 8.7: Towards a country free of child and forced labor. 

(END) LZD/MAO/DTK/MVB

Published: 9/13/2019