Poverty is one of the reasons leading to child labor. In disadvantaged families, many children have to work for hours a day, engaging in hard labor. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said children working at an early age suffer serious impacts on their physical growth, as well as their socio-economic future.

The Ministry and the International Labor Organization have conducted a 2^nd national survey on child labor in order to determine appropriate measures.

Ms. Ha said: “To resolve child labor issues, it requires the involvement of the whole society, government agencies, businesses, trade unions, social organizations, and families. The active and responsible participation of everybody will help build and enforce law on reducing child labor, protect children’s rights and ensure their future and human resources for the nation.”

Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Children’s Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said child labor is used in many unofficial economic activities. Employers take advantage of the fact that many children are willing to work, and they recruit child labor at low cost. To reduce child labor and protect them from hard, hazardous, and dangerous work, administrative agencies together with social organizations, and families have to coordinate closely.

Mr. Nam said: “Children at risk of or involved in child labor and illicit activities need prompt intervention to be reintegrated into society and be given opportunities to grow. We concentrate on preventive measures relating to awareness, resources, and responsibility of administrative agencies, communities, and child labor employers.”

The children are the future of a nation. It is of the utmost importance to provide them with the best possible care.