More funds to end child labour [March 19 2011]

The government plans to allocate more funds to a campaign to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2016.

The funds will be used to train duty bearers, raise awareness and promote behavioural change amongst communities vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour.

Upali Wijayaweera, Secretary Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations said the ministry had earmarked about a third of its budget allocation of its decent work country programme to eliminate child labour.

A secretariat has been established to support the programme developed by the ministry with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

It was done in consultation with representatives of employers’ organizations and trade unions, members of civil society and government ministries and agencies.

ILO Senior Specialist on Child Labour for South Asia, Sherin Khan said Sri Lanka was well-positioned to achieve the goal.