ARE CHILDREN YOUR BUSINESS?: DOLE Highlights Employer Duties on Child Labor

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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VI, in collaboration with the Iloilo City Council Against Child Labor, hosted a two-day forum titled “Are Children Your Business?” to raise awareness about child labor and employers’ legal responsibilities under Republic Act No. 9231.

Held on November 6-7, 2024, as part of the National Children’s Month celebration, the forum targeted industries with high incidences of child labor, such as construction, junkshops, lechonans, and refreshment establishments in Iloilo City.

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Sixto Popoy Rodriguez Jr. emphasized the agency’s commitment to eliminating child labor and protecting children from hazardous work environments.

“The primary focus of DOLE is the effective implementation and enforcement of Republic Act No. 9231, which aims to eliminate child labor and protect children from exploitation in hazardous work environments,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also lauded the Iloilo City Council Against Child Labor for its efforts in protecting children and stressed the need for collaboration to eradicate child labor in the region.

In his address, Rodriguez reminded employers about the recent increase in the minimum wage, urging them to comply with new wage guidelines to ensure fair treatment of workers, particularly those in vulnerable sectors.

More Power Corporation participated in the event by sharing safety tips to prevent electrical accidents in workplaces, contributing to a safer environment for workers.

The forum was attended by representatives from the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Iloilo City, the Iloilo City Welfare Development Office, and Bidlisiw Foundation Inc., supported by Terre Des Hommes Netherlands.

The event underscored the importance of shared responsibility among government agencies, employers, and civil society in addressing child labor and promoting children’s rights.

RA 9231 mandates the prohibition of child labor in hazardous workplaces while ensuring children’s right to education and protection from exploitation. The law reinforces the government’s broader goal of creating a safer, fairer work environment for all.