By Fummi KOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor
Panelists  at the 99th  International Labour Conference, in Geneva, Switzerland  have  called on member countries including Nigeria to place more emphasis on education as a  means of pulling out 215 million children from Child Labour.

The panelists who spoke  at the Palais De Nations  in a discussion to mark Child Labour Day in  called on Government, Emplozyers and workers to  cooperate to put an end to Child Labour.

Poverty was identified as one of the major causes but it was also unanimously agreed that education will  not only broaden the perspectives of the children but also  give them employable skills.

A panelist from Cote D Voire said  his country has been working with other countries in the region including Nigeria to stop child trafficking with is closely linked with Child Labour.

He said the region still has a long way to go to but that  child trafficking  has been brought under control considerably.

Nigeria is one of the African countries which has ratified Convention 182 on the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour and has also organised series of programmes to withdraw children from harzadous jobs such as street trading, child prostitution , working on cocoa farms etc.

The panelists also identified the mass media as a partner which could play a leading role in the sensitisation of people on the negative effects of Child Labour.

Others suggested that religious platforms should be used to educate parents not to engage their children in any form of Child Labour.

The World Day Against Child Labour is usually marked on June 12 of every year.
The ILO plans to end all forms of Child Labour around the world by 2016.
The theme for this year’s programme is “ Go for the Goal:  End Child Labour”.