Today, 12 June 2025, marks World Day Against Child Labour. It is the responsibility of every organisation to create and enforce policies that prevent child labour, and ensure that their service providers are held to these standards. The information provided below will help you formulate your organisation’s policy on this important issue. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) was adopted in 1998. Sierra Leone has ratified all the Conventions, and Abolition of Child Labour is one of them. Not all work performed by children is child labour. International standards define child labour as work that is hazardous to a child’s health and development, demands too many hours and/or is performed by children who are too young. Usually, child labour interferes with a child’s right to education and to play. Sierra Leone’s Employment Act 2023 (Section 96) and Employment Regulations 2023 (Sections 25 & 26) state that the minimum age for work is 15 years and the minimum age for light work is 13 years. In addition, an employer is required to: 1. Maintain a separate register specifically for recording details of children employed. 2. Ensure that an employed child has access to sufficient and nutritious food in accordance with recognised standards for nutrition, and to essential primary health care services, including regular check-ups, immunisations, and timely medical attention in case of illness or injury. 3. Ensure that, where the child is enrolled in school or any other educational institution, the employment will not disrupt or hinder the child’s education. The employer shall make appropriate arrangements, such as flexible working hours or leave, to enable the child to attend and fully participate in educational activities. Contact us for assistance with developing your policies, or for employment advice: JobSearch (SL) Ltd [email protected] www.jobsearchsl.com Photo: NBC News website