Morulem Town Council Approves Child Labour Bye-Law, Expanding Local Protection for Children

Home / News / Morulem Town Council Approves Child Labour Bye-Law, Expanding Local Protection for Children
Morulem Town Council Approves Child Labour Bye-Law, Expanding Local Protection for Children

Morulem, Abim District – Uganda, October 17, 2024

Following the recent passing of a Child Labour Bye-Law by the Morulem Sub County committee to the Town Council, the Council has approved it to a bill, aimed at protecting children from exploitative labour. The emergency meeting, held today, was attended by sub-county councillors and local leaders and spearheaded by Share An Opportunity Uganda (SAO Uganda) under the Securing the Future of Labouring Children (SEFULAC) project in partnership with the European Union.

The motion was moved by Martin Okuda, the Council Representative for the Elders, who highlighted that the byelaw will prevent child labour while engaging local authorities in the rehabilitation of affected children. It will establish committees responsible for spearheading enforcement, building on the work already initiated by SAO Uganda and SEFULAC in the sub-county.

This approval follows the success of the Sub County’s recently passed bye-law, which introduced critical protections for children under 18. The law prohibits hazardous work that endangers children’s physical and emotional health, prevents work that interferes with schooling, and sets penalties for parents or employers who violate these provisions.

The push for such local regulations came after a recent research study in April 2024 found that many children in the community were being subjected to heavy workloads, often without pay, keeping them from attending school. The study also revealed that child labour in the area increased risks of early child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and injuries from dangerous work like farming and stone quarrying. Some accidents even resulted in fatalities.

“The Bye-Law outlines how we, as stakeholders, will safeguard the children of our community, following Uganda’s constitution,” Okuda stated. “This is a major step forward for Morulem.”

After scrutinizing the proposal, the speaker of the Town Council approved the passing of the motion to the district level, and commended Share An Opportunity Uganda for its continued work in empowering the community. The speaker urged SAO Uganda to keep driving initiatives that protect children’s rights, reinforcing the bye-law’s alignment with national laws such as the Children’s Act and Employment Act.

The District Councillor expressed excitement at the approval, noting that the District Council is ready to discuss the law at the next level. “Once this law is fully implemented, it will mark a major milestone in addressing the issues affecting the livelihood of children in Morulem,” they stated.

Edith Namulondo, the Program officer-Child Labour SEFULAC, added, “Let us focus on the future generation. These children will be our leaders of tomorrow if we provide them with a safe environment for proper growth. Let us continue spreading the message of protecting children’s rights in Morulem.”

The approval of the Child Labour Bye-Law by both the Sub County and Town Council strengthens efforts to reduce child exploitation in Morulem. With penalties for violators, mandated wage standards, and ongoing community awareness campaigns, the law is set to transform the region, creating a safer, more supportive environment for children’s development.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Skip to content