Local organisations in ZimbabweJoint initiative
The Coalition Against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ) is a joint initiative of three organizations – General Agricultural & Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN). These organizations decided to join forces to have coordinated efforts in the fight against child labour in Zimbabwe.
Children belong in the classroom
The motivation for the tripartite arrangement stems from the common interest in the participation of children in addressing problems of child labour. Child labour is prevalent in Zimbabwe and the general political, social and economical environment has resulted in increase child labour. The three organizations believe that the proper place for the child is the classroom and not the workplace as is currently happening.
Government: no guardianship
Whilst efforts have been made to deal with the problem of child labour it has mainly been disjointed and the government has not taken its guardianship role seriously. CACLAZ raise awareness of child labour and put the issue on the national agenda. With the cooperation of everybody they believe it is possible to reduce the number of children in the workplace and eventually eradicate child labour.
Long term solutions
They recognise that this needs efforts from all stakeholders particularly efforts directed at policy and the legislative framework. This will result in long term solutions in the fight against child labour. What is required is a framework that will legally protect the children and at the same time provide an effective monitoring mechanism to ensure that cases of child labour are dealt with decisively. Such vigilance will obviously call for the government to play a more active role in the monitoring since it has the resources and the requisite national coverage.
