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CHILD LABOR ABUSE!

In light of the tragic death of a 13-years-old child Avni Ademi from Gostivar
 

We are shaken from the yesterday’s tragic death of the 13-year-old boy Avni Ademi, in a car-wash service.

This sad event is another confirmation that the child labor abuse in Macedonia is reality. This is a drastic case of violation of the Children’s Rights from the UN’s Convention of Children’s rights, the Convention against Worst Forms of Child Labor Abuse (182) and of the National Laws (Especially drastic because of the tragic outcome from violation of children’s rights – with death as a consequence).

The general conclusion is that unfortunately, still within the majority of employers there is an absence of elemental knowledge, understanding and respect of the Labor Law which clearly says that it is forbidden to employ children under the age of 15 and the Conventi9on 182 Against Worst Forms of Child labor – ratified by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in 2001.

Therefore, the First Children’s Embassy in the world – Megjashi appeals towards the District Attorney to take measures according the national Laws and international regulations – to file criminal charges against the person F. Lj. – owner of the Car Wash service.

At the same time, we would like to appeal to the Labor Inspector, which we find that don’t dedicate much attention to the employers which abuse child labor, thus breaking the Labor Law.

In Macedonia, there are more than 18.000 children which don’t go to school. These children are the most frequent victims of child labor abuse.

On a World level, there are 246 million children aged  5-17 whose labor is abused. It is almost the population of USA (293,027,571)!!  From the total number of abuses, approximately 186 million are children under the age of 15! It is devastating that the majority, or 110 million,  are children smaller than then 12 years.


Everybody can contribute towards the elimination of child labor. Here are few ways

·  Don’t hire children in your home or for your business.

·  Don’t buy products which are made by child workers or products sold by children.

·   If you know someone who employs children, report him/her immediately! 
    - in Police
    - in the nearest Center for Social Work
    - on the toll-free SOS helpline for children and youth 0800 1 22 22
    -  in the free Legal Service of the Embassy Megjashi, on phone number 02/2463 900