FG to prosecute 629 child labour offenders

The Federal Government says 287 and 342 offenders who committed child labour infractions in 2018 and 2019 respectively are being prosecuted.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a workshop for media practitioners on child labour reporting and the presentation of the national advocacy strategy on elimination of child labour.

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He said his ministry, through its state labour offices, reported 5,401 and 3,937, adding that 1,494 and 1,278 victims and their families were empowered in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Ngige, represented by the Director, Inspectorate Department in the ministry, Dauda Ajuwon, said a good advocacy strategy and effective child labour reporting was very important in the attainment of Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals which seeks to eliminate child labour, especially its worst forms by 2025.