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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Dagoretti South, JP",
"speaker_title": "Hon. John Kiarie",
"speaker": {
"id": 13322,
"legal_name": "John Kiarie Waweru",
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"content": " Hon. Speaker, I rise to ask for a statement regarding the rampant cases of child labour in garbage collection in various dumpsites across the country. Pursuant to Standing Order No.44 (2) (c), I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the rampant cases of child labour in the garbage collection business and sorting of recyclable garbage at dumpsites around the country in a business commonly referred to as ‘taka ni pesa.” Article 53 of the Constitution of Kenya recogniSes the rights of all children to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and from all forms of violence, inhumane treatment, punishment and hazardous or exploitative labour. In the recent past, there has been an increase in the cases of child labour where children from disadvantaged backgrounds are engaged in collection and sorting of garbage at dumpsites and, more so, in the urban areas. Child labour remains a major concern due to the trade-off that children and parents have to make owing to the benefits that come from engaging in this hazardous practice. Despite the gains that have been achieved through free primary education and the Government initiative of 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary schools, child labour is still a major factor that hampers children from disadvantaged backgrounds from participating and acquiring good education. In addition, the engagement of children in garbage collection and at dumping sites across the country exposes them to hazardous waste that may cause numerous health complications as they cannot afford proper personal protective equipment for use in the course of this line of work. It is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the following: (i) What steps is the Ministry of Labour taking to protect those vulnerable children, especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds, from child labour? (ii) Could the Ministry consider registering parents and guardians of children involved in child labour in the Inua Jamii Programme to enable them to provide basic needs for their families and those disadvantaged children? Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker."
}