Africa-Press – Lesotho. Dr. Musa Kika, the Chief Executive of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), has highlighted that Lesotho’s child protection framework clearly requires that any form of children’s employment must not interfere with their education, health, or moral development, while ensuring safe and non-exploitative work environments for all adolescents.
This he said at the release of a comprehensive new study evaluating how all 55 African Union member states are responding to the growing intersection between business operations and the welfare of children.
Dr. Kika noted that the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2011 remains the cornerstone of the country’s child rights regime. The Act defines and protects the rights of every child, sets the minimum age for employment at 15, and strictly prohibits hazardous work for anyone under 18.
He further emphasised that the Act operationalises Lesotho’s commitments under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACWRC) by making the best interests of the child the guiding principle in all actions by state bodies, private entities, and corporate actors.
According to Dr. Kika, the legislation’s prohibition of economic and sexual exploitation, along with its requirement that children be safeguarded from hazardous and exploitative labour, places responsibility on both government and business sectors.
He said Public and private institutions are legally obliged to uphold children’s rights to education, health, safety, and development, thereby extending child protection mandates into all spheres of business activity.
He also highlighted that the Labour Act of 2024/25 reinforces these protections by maintaining the employment minimum age of 15 and recognising “young persons” aged 15–17, who may only work under controlled conditions.
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