Children need to be protected from child labour more than ever due to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, experts said during a virtual interactive panel discussion held in Hanoi last week.

Vietnam’s deeper integration into the global economy requires the country to enhance its capacity to comply with international labour commitments, including the elimination of forced labour and child labour, experts have said.

Taking part in the labour force at a young age stunts children's mental and physical development.

More frequent and severe natural disasters in Viet Nam due to climate change can push children into child labour if proper preventive measures are not taken, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has urged local authorities to increase inspections and punish all establishments using child labour or forced labour.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Child labour still exists in Viet Nam, especially in the informal economic sector, despite significant efforts to combat the scourge,

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 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam hopes to increase awareness of child labour and improve the legal framework to protect children at risk under a five-year programme costing VND516 billion.

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 VietNamNet Bridge – The percentage of children who have never attended school in Viet Nam is high, according to a report unveiled in Ha Noi on Thursday (Sept 11).

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 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Trong An, former deputy head of the Department of Childcare and Protection, tells Hai Quan online newspaper that ensuring adequate healthcare and education for children is an urgent task.