Metro

148,000 Moroccan children victims of child labour – Commission

Published

3 years ago

June 13, 2022

A report by the Moroccan Higher Commission for Planning (HCP), has revealed that out of the country’s 7,493,000 child population aged between seven and 17, around 148,000 were engaged in some form of child labour and of economic activity.

The report which was released on Monday notes that the share of Moroccan children victims of child labor is higher within the rural areas where the demographics show that as much as 119,000 children in were working in the informal economy, making up 3.8% of the country’s rural population.

Going by the HCP’s data, the rate is relatively low in urban areas, where 29,000 children take part in economic activities, making up 0.7% of the rural population.

The report which was issued on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labor, explains that 80.4% of children victims of child labor are rural males, and 87.5% of them are aged 15 to 17.

In terms of education, the HCP data indicate that 12.1% of children engaged in economic activities in Morocco are attending school while 85.7% have dropped out of school and 2.2% have never been enrolled in schools.

“Meanwhile, close to 65% of the children engaged in economic activities benefit from medical coverage, with the percentage getting slightly higher among the 7-17 age group reaching 75%,” it added.

Further breaking down child labor by sector, the report details that “82.2% of working children are active in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

Morocco’s industrial sector employs 24.7% of working children in the country, and three-quarters of working children in rural areas support their families financially, according to the report.

It added that six out of 10 working children, making up 59.4% or 88,000 children, perform hazardous work which represents 1.2% of children in this age group, adding that among the children engaged in hazardous forms of work, 73.7% are rural, 88.6% male, and 81.9% aged between 15 and 17 years.

Related Topics:Child Labour Children Featured Morocco

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.