As part of the distance learning course “Strengthening the capacities of Labour Inspections to eradicate child labour: strengthening partnerships between CPLP countries (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) through South-South Cooperation” a panel discussion entitled “Concrete experiences of cooperation in CPLP countries” was held on March 9th.
This panel aimed to introduce participants to the potentialities of South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC), present the work that has been developed in this area and exemplify with good cooperation practices already in place.
During the panel, Roberto Padilha Guimarães, National Coordinator of Labour Inspection for the Eradication of Child Labour, Brazil, presented a series of experiences of south-south and bilateral cooperation and the benefits they have had, among which he highlighted the project between Brazil and Guinea Bissau for the eradication of child labour and the project to promote decent work in the cotton production chain in Mozambique.
In turn, Leonilde Fruquia, Deputy Inspector General of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Mozambique, explained the challenges in the fight against child labour, especially in rural areas in his country, underlining some actions taken by her government to meet these challenges, such as the National Plan to Combat Child Labour 2017-2024. She also recognized the contributions of the project with Brazil on decent work in the cotton production chain, stressing the benefits that this project brought to her country, such as the training of labour inspectors in combating child labour and the identification of work considered dangerous.
Also present during the panel was Fernanda Barreto, Coordinator of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Program, ILO Brasilia, who gave an overview of the projects and countries benefited in the framework of the South-South Cooperation Program ILO-Brazil, pointing out that since 2019, 17 projects have been implemented and 35 countries have benefited, including CPLP countries on the topic of combating child labour.
Assucenia Seidi Donate, Director General of Employment and Professional Training at the Ministry of Public Administration, Employment and Social Security of Guinea Bissau highlighted the importance of the cooperation agreement between Brazil and Guinea Bissau which has allowed the elaboration of a diagnosis of the situation of child labour in her country in order to implement solutions, such as the exchange of good practices of the Brazilian model, professional training and the reinforcement of labour inspections.
Finally, Monica Salmito, from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), emphasized that one of Brazil’s priorities in international cooperation is the promotion and strengthening of South-South cooperation, as she considers that her country has much to offer in this field and at the same time benefits from it.
To access the recording of the session, please click here.