Cristina is former child laborer and daughter of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) initially reported missing in Lebanon but recently confirmed to be alive by the OWWA Region IV-A office through the assistance of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). She dreams of becoming a youth leader who will be a hope and light of a nation and a catalyst of change that will create a strong and progressive Philippines.
Launched in 1993, SBM employs an inter-agency quick action team for detecting, monitoring and rescuing child laborers from hazardous and exploitative working conditions. The project is part of the National Program Against Child Labor (NPACL) that aims at responding to cases of child labor in extremely miserable conditions.
It is interesting to note that six years ago, Cristina’s widowed grandmother, Natividad, who earned from doing laundry works to neighbors, sought the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Cristina’s mother Verna, an OFW, had stopped sending money for her children, forcing them to work along the streets.
HOPE FLOWS
Through SBM, Cristina was able to avail of a scholarship program earmarked for children of OFWs. Natividad, the children’s guardian and grandmother, was also provided a home-based livelihood assistance by raising some chicks in her backyard and selling homemade candies, sweets and native delicacies.
When Cristina graduated from Mayondon Elementary School in Los Baños, she sought again the help of DoLE to continue her high school education. Her request was granted.
"It is indeed survival that dictates children of poor or low income families to stop schooling and seek early employment," notes Labor Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, adding that children themselves take the initial move to help their loved ones and contribute to the family’s income, thus sacrificing the value of education.
A child may perform work that either endangers his health or safety, interferes with or prevents his education, or keeps him away from play and other activity needed or expedient to his normal development.
Based on the DoLE’s Bureau of Women and Young Workers’ statistical report, some 510 rescue operations were conducted for the period 1998 to the first quarter of 2005. A total of 1,818 minors were rescued during the said operations. Specifically, from 1993 to the first quarter of this year, 629 rescue operations were done, and a total of 2,140 minors were rescued during the operations.
The DoLE also takes charge of administrative cases concerning violation of labor standards, such as the non-payment of wages and the non-provision of benefits. In such case, the erring employers are demanded to pay the child laborers what is due them.
"We owe these children an invaluable debt, a debt not just of money but of the family they deserve; the basic birthright of wealth, not just a guaranteed income to work with; the job opportunity they deserve, and the utmost concern and safeguard they deserve," concludes Labor Secretary Sto. Tomas.
