Washington: The Ministry of Labour has stepped up its efforts to combat child labour through a nationwide awareness and inspection campaign launched in conjunction with the World Day Against Child Labour, reaffirming its commitment to protecting children's rights and promoting access to education.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry marked the occasion by organizing a symbolic "Red Card to Child Labour" event attended by Labour Minister Khaled Al-Bakkar, Secretary-General Abdul Halim Dujan, and ministry staff, as part of broader initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the risks and consequences of child labour.
Al-Bakkar described child labour as a critical humanitarian and development challenge, stressing that children should be protected from exploitation and provided with opportunities to learn, develop, and build a better future. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to enforcing labour laws that safeguard children's rights, including measures aimed at removing underage workers from the labour market, rehabilitating them, and facilitating their return to education.
The minister noted that the Kingdom is participating in the global observance of the World Day Against Child Labour, held annually on June 12, which this year coincides with the international "Red Card" campaign calling for an end to child labour. At the national level, the National Working Group on Child Labour has adopted the slogan "Childhood Without Work... A Future Without Limits" as the theme for awareness activities marking the occasion.
Al-Bakkar said national labour legislation is aligned with key international labour standards, including Convention No. 138 concerning the minimum age for employment and Convention No. 182 on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Current legislation prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16 and bans individuals under 18 from working in hazardous, strenuous, or health-threatening occupations. The law also regulates working conditions for juveniles by limiting working hours and prohibiting employment during nighttime periods, public holidays, and weekly rest days.
Highlighting the importance of collective action, Al-Bakkar said addressing child labour requires cooperation among government institutions, employers, workers' organizations, civil society groups, communities, and families. As part of its enforcement efforts, the ministry recently conducted a two-week inspection campaign covering various economic sectors, with particular focus on wholesale and retail trade establishments and vehicle repair workshops to ensure compliance with child labour regulations.
The ministry has also launched awareness activities across all governorates, including educational workshops targeting employers, children vulnerable to entering the labour market, and their families. The sessions focus on national legislation, occupational risks associated with child labour, and mechanisms designed to strengthen coordination among institutions responsible for child protection.
Al-Bakkar said the National Strategy to Reduce Child Labour 2022-2030 serves as a comprehensive framework for coordinating efforts among public institutions and non-governmental stakeholders. He noted that the strategy promotes a unified national approach to reducing child labour and strengthening protection mechanisms, while ensuring that all relevant partners contribute to achieving its objectives.