Thank you for this online consultation.
I would like to share some points and examples of cross-sectoral policies and strategies:
Tackling child labour in agriculture requires an integrated approach including coherence between policies and strategies, collaboration among Ministries and partners, and joint and coordinated interventions on the ground. For example, collaboration between labour and agricultural stakeholders is key.
- A few years ago, I co-facilitated a joint ILO and FAO capacity development workshop in Lao PDR for agriculture and labour officials of 3 provinces. I do not have information on the impact of this activity but it was the fisrt time that agriculture and labour officials were brought together to discuss solutions to tackle child labour in agriculture e.g. coordination mechanisms, building OHS capacity in rice plantation, disseminate info on risks and hazards through schools, extension workers, women's groups, etc., including child labour concerns in action plans.
- In Mali, the Government is implementing a project that aims to reduce rural poverty through youth employment and is also updating the National Roadmap to Eliminate Child Labour in Agriculture that was developed in close collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Labour. Special tools were developed for extension officers and included in FFS curricula to raise awareness of farmers on risks and hazards for children.
Other examples include the Clear Cotton Project ‘’Eliminating child labour and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment value chains: an integrated approach’’ implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Effectively addressing child labour requires the support of ministries beyond agriculture and labour (e.g. social protection, education, health) as well as mainstreaming child labour concerns into development strategies at the national and local level, especially those directed at poverty reduction.
Multi-stakeholders' platforms can play an important role to raise awareness on this issue and foster collective action e.g. FSN Forum, Rotterdam Convention, national/regional multi-stakeholders workshops (2015 multi-stakeholder workshop organized in Senegal by FAO and ITC-ILO).
Ms. Maria Lee