25 June 2007

Murphy Backs efforts to tackle Child Labour

After being inteviewed by children from Blaenavon taking part in a BBC programme about child labour, Paul Murphy has spoken in support of efforts to address the issue.

After the interview, in which the children asked about child labour in nineteenth century Wales and compared it to child labour abroad today, Paul Murphy said: "I share the childrens' concerns about children in developing countries being forced to work in pretty horrendous conditions. It's a distressing form of exploitation - not only becasue it endangers children, but because the children are usually working instead of getting an education and enjoying their childhood.

Talking about the need to adress the wider issues connected with child labour, Paul Murphy said: "I recognise that it is often necessary to tackle the underlying causes of the problem, as children are often sent out to work because their families cannot otherwise afford to eat. I welcome the work of the International Labour Organisation and organisations like Save the Children who work to address this issue as part of their efforts to tackle the problem.

Paul Murphy has also signed a House of Commons motion about child labour - EDM 1661 - which notes that 12th June is World Day Against Child Labour, welcomes efforts to stop exploitative child labour and calls for more resources and attention to be diverted to the issue.

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