ILO Launches SCREAM Workshop in Malaysia to Combat Child Labour

The SCREAM ToT workshop targeted approximately 70 participants, including educators from public schools and community learning centers (CLCs) in Sabah.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), through its innovative Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB) project, has launched a crucial initiative to combat child labour in Sabah, Malaysia. The SCREAM Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, held on July 15-16, 2024, in Kota Kinabalu, is designed to empower local educators and community leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to address this persistent issue.

The SCREAM (Supporting Children's Rights through Education, the Arts and the Media) programme, adapted locally as “SUARAKAN,” uses educational tools, arts, and media to help communities recognize and combat child labour. The recent workshop equipped participants with a comprehensive understanding of child labour issues, effective advocacy strategies, and practical methodologies. Through interactive sessions, training modules, and action plan development, attendees gained the skills needed to educate, mobilize communities, and initiate local projects to raise awareness about child labour.

“I came here to learn how to differentiate between child labour and working children and I learned that. Additionally, I also learned how to be a trainer to raise awareness on child labour,” said Wilddan Rezzy Septiand, a teacher from Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu, reflecting on the workshop.

The SCREAM ToT workshop targeted approximately 70 participants, including educators from public schools and community learning centers (CLCs) in Sabah. By providing these individuals with essential knowledge and skills, the programme aims to build a network of local changemakers dedicated to driving sustainable progress in the fight against child labour. A second workshop is scheduled for Lahad Datu on September 7-8, 2024.

“The SCREAM ToT programme presents a unique opportunity to tackle child labour in Sabah,” stated Ahmad Syafiq Audi, National Project Coordinator for ILO's GALAB project. “By equipping local leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge, we can empower them to create positive change and ensure a future free from child labour for Sabah's children.”

Child labour remains a significant global issue, with an estimated 160 million children aged 5-17 involved in such practices as of early 2020, according to the ILO. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, particularly in vulnerable regions like Sabah, Malaysia. Despite the country’s notable economic growth and poverty reduction efforts, regional disparities continue to perpetuate conditions that facilitate child labour. The 2018 Employment Survey on Oil Palm Plantations revealed that approximately 19,800 children (58.8 percent) in Sabah were involved in child labour. These children, many of whom are undocumented or stateless, often face hazardous working conditions.