Target 8.7 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals calls for an end to child labour in all its forms by 2025.

While the number of children in child labour has declined by 94 million since 2000, the rate of reduction slowed by two-thirds in recent years. Almost one in ten of all children worldwide are in child labour. Poverty is one of the main factors pushing children into such exploitation, desperately vulnerable children are trafficked for the purposes of labour exploitation, robbing them of their childhood and leaving them exposed to certain psychological and physical harm, often leading to death.

World Day Against Child Labour 2020 focuses on the impact of crisis on child labour. The COVID-19 health pandemic and the resulting economic and labour market shock are having a huge impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Unfortunately, children are often the first to suffer. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the World Day is conducted as a virtual campaign and  a joint ILO-UNICEF paper on the impact of COVID-19 on child labour, has been released on 12 June, looking at some of the main channels through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

To access the report: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_747421/lang–en/index.htm?ssSourceSiteId=global

For additional information:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-day-against-child-labour

https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/wdacl/lang–en/index.htm

COVID-19 restrictions by the Government led to the closure of the office & the learning centre up to 25 May last.  During that time of restrictions, in order to continue and sustain supports, the team held lessons and maintained connections online for the past 2 months.  Therefore, the house remained operative, with 3 girls and their babies quarantined together.

The good news is that they re-opened the office and learning centre once restrictions were eased, after 25 May and they are looking forward to taking in more girls and their babies.

Already, they have advertised for a French Translator, as they anticipate the need to communicate in French in the near future. Earlier this week, one of the French-speaking girls joined the Day Programme and a second French-speaking girl will attend today, 12 June 2020.

Much wonderful work being done, despite the challenging circumstances.

INFORMATION & CAMPAIGNS- collection for your information and awareness.

ACRATH- Australian Catholic Religious against Trafficking in Humans.

A.      Human Trafficking – The Facts

Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, Webinar

https://acrath.org.au/human-trafficking-the-facts/

B.      Modern Slavery Advisory Group

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP, has announced the appointment of ten experts with extensive experience in combating modern slavery and supply chain management to a Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group

https://acrath.org.au/modern-slavery-advisory-group/

C.      AFP tip-off leads to rescue of child sex slaves

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/afp-tip-off-leads-to-rescue-of-child-sex-slaves-20200517-p54tn5.html

D.      MECPATHS

MECPATHS is a social justice response to the growing prevalence of Human Trafficking and the exploitation of people for profit, in Ireland. MECPATHS, in partnership with Maynooth University, launch an accredited module on Human Trafficking

https://mecpaths.com/news-resources/

E.       Stop Trafficking Newsletter 

https://www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org/stop-trafficking-newsletter/

F.       Talitha Kum: International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking In Persons

https://www.talithakum.info/

The Impact of COVID-19 on Human Trafficking

https://www.talithakum.info/en/news/the-impact-of-covid19-on-human-trafficking

G.     International Labor Rights Forum

https://laborrights.org/

H.     RENATE: Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation.

https://renate-europe.net/

Haven of Light Modern Trafficking Media update

https://renate-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Haven-of-Light-Modern-Slavery-_-Human-Trafficking-Media-Update-April-2020.pdf

I.        Human Rights Watch

https://www.hrw.org/

Stay up to date with ACRATH Activities and News Items https://acrath.org.au/   

News from RENATE member in the Czech Republic- during the time of COVID-19.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

Due to the movement restrictions, a lot of the girls who have been prostituted, are now working from apartments/houses & therefore not as easily accessible to supports.

Klara Marie is able to respond to the girls via WhatsApp, which is of some help but there is no substitute for the person-to-person engagement. Prayer for the victims is an essential component of current support.

While there are shelters for victims of violence & domestic abuse, there are none specifically designated for women.

For the avoidance of spreading the infection, many homeless are cared for in hotels-given food, shelter, a bath etc.  They greatly value the experience of ‘’normal’’ life, or a reliable routine/shelter/security/food/hygiene & being medically looked after.

Plans for the future:- Build upon the contacts already made with the girls and maintain those contacts via telephone and/or online possibilities.  Continue the circles of prayer.

Engage with the wider network of RENATE members so we can support one another.

Easing of COVID-19 restrictions is now across the regions. Throughout the lockdown, online & telephone supports seem to have been the best & safest means of keeping in contact with victims/survivors.

Community prayer & on-line Masses have been quite popular, as people try to find comfort in gathering together- even virtually!

A positive development from the crisis has been the fact that Redemptorists sisters are now counselling over the telephone and this new methodology is becoming very popular and widely appreciated.

Caritas Ukraine have been very active and supportive during the Pandemic, leading to the understanding and appreciation of collaboration, which is key to outreach to as many people as possible. 

Cited example where cross-border work via CARITAS connecting with CARITAS Milan, helped a UKRAINIAN girl who needed food, shelter & support.

Post-COVID-19 restrictions will be a most critical time. During the pandemic, the government urged many of its citizens to return home for safety but the resulting influx of returning migrants has led to an unanticipated socio-economic crisis.

Many are having huge difficulties in adapting back to life in the Ukraine, especially under the poor economic circumstances. Without employment and income, many, many are left poverty-stricken, without shelter, food or access to essential medical services. Such vulnerable people are easy prey for criminals and those who will exploit for their own gratification.

New reality will be very demanding for society at large, as well as for the government.  There is a great urgency to be prepared to cater for emerging needs.

The May edition produced by the French association of 28 networks working to combat Human Trafficking, focuses this month on the issue of Forced Labour, a crime which remains hidden in the shadows.

There is a rich coverage of the complex and varied manifestations of Human Trafficking, from across the globe. Congratulations to all who have contributed.

http://contrelatraite.org/index.php/