The Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African States Bordering the Atlantic (COMHAFAT) has taken a significant step towards addressing the issue of child labor within the fishing and aquaculture sector. The organization has been conducting a seminar in Casablanca, Morocco, focusing on the eradication of child labor in these industries across Africa.

International Efforts to Combat Child Labor

The seminar is part of broader international efforts and initiatives aimed at putting an end to the detrimental effects of child labor. Taoufik Ktiri, the executive secretary of COMHAFAT, emphasized the importance of this meeting in contributing to global endeavors to eliminate this scourge. Child labor not only compromises the education of children but also exposes them to various risks, making it imperative to address this issue effectively.

COMHAFAT reaffirms its commitment to promoting and enhancing the working conditions of seafarers, recognizing the pivotal role of the fishing and aquaculture sector in sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of families across Africa. While acknowledging the sector’s significance, COMHAFAT underscores the complex challenges posed by the participation of children in various activities within these industries.

Scope of the Issue

According to COMHAFAT, the prevalence of child labor in agricultural production, livestock breeding, forestry, fishing, and aquaculture is alarmingly high, with an estimated 108 million children—both girls and boys—engaged in these activities worldwide. These children often endure long hours of work and are exposed to a myriad of risks, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.