The most appropriate child-related grant regarding children affected by HIV/Aids is an extended Child Support Grant (CSG). De-emphasise the provision of the foster care grant (FCG) in favour of the CSG. While the CSG is a smaller grant it is better in other ways, at least for children affected by HIV/AIDS, for example in that it is allocated to the child rather than the guardian and that it is procedurally much easier to access. Also, the foster care grant takes an inordinate amount of state officials' time to approve and administer. At present the FCG tends to go to the less poor. Lead institution: DSD*. New policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Recurrent cost of elaboration: moderate. Significant saving when compared with provision of Foster Care Grant (FCG) to children affected by HIV/Aids. Time line: Phased introduction.
The extension of the CSG to children up to the end of the school year in which they turn 15 years. The current age cut-off of 14 years does not align with the period of compulsory schooling and the prohibition on employment of children, both extending up to the end of the school year in which a child turns 15. If this is not done children of very poor families are likely to leave school at 14 to work for the family income, or to work while attending schooling, affecting schooling negatively. Lead institution: DSD. Secondary institution: NT. New policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Recurrent cost: Significant, while potentially funded from savings in terms of step (12). Time line: 2006.
In the medium term the extension of the CSG to those aged 16 and 17 years should be considered to encourage children to remain in school and to avoid children's engagement in hazardous work activities and other WFCL. This should follow an assessment of how effectively the CSG reaches the very poor. Lead institution: DSD. Secondary institution: NT. New policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Recurrent cost: Significant, while potentially funded to some extent from savings in terms of step (12). Time line: 2008.
A serious problem with the CSG is that birth certificates and ID documents are required to access the grant. Ways need to be found urgently around this problem while limiting the scope for corruption, as it is children and their caregivers in rural and poorer areas who usually lack this documentation. Lead institution: DHA*. Secondary institution: DrSD*. New policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Recurrent cost: Costs depend on solution, but probably moderate recurrent costs. Time line: within one year of adoption of policy.
A statistical survey provides broad indications of where different forms of child work and labour are found. For effective implementation of policy, the individual children who are vulnerable and affected need to be identified. Proposals are as follows:
As South Africa has a high rate of school enrolment, schools are probably best placed to identify children needing assistance, both with regard to access to grants for their families and exposure to excessive and detrimental forms of child work. See also (88). Lead institution: DrE. New policy? Yes. Once off and recurrent cost: Minimal to moderate one-off and recurrent costs depending on proposed solution.Time line: To be introduced within two years of adoption of policy. ILO funding: investigate how this can be done in view of a range of other demands placed on the education system, possibly through piloting.
The requirements for reporting worst forms of child labour in existing law should be assessed to ensure that government agencies servicing children must report potentially serious cases of child labour, including trafficking, to the appropriate institution. This should be coupled with training of officials in these agencies on what to look out for. Lead institution: DSD. Affected departments: DH, DrSD, DL, DrE, DHA. New policy? Yes. Once off costs: moderate. Recurrent cost: moderate. Time line: To be introduced within two years of adoption of policy.
4.12Public awareness-raising
Public awareness-raising is widely seen as an important strategy for addressing child labour in general and specific types of child labour and detrimental forms of child work in particular.
A national public awareness campaign on child labour should be designed and implemented: substantial initial campaign with a sustained presence thereafter. Lead institution: DL. Secondary institutions: NPA, CLIG, SAPS,DJ, DC (each regarding its own line function), NGOs.New policy? Yes. Once-off cost: significant. Recurrent cost: significant. ILO funding: to cover initial design and part of initial implementation, the remainder having to be borne by the relevant line department. Time line: to be introduced as soon as possible after adoption of policy; initial stage of campaign to run over three years.
The national public awareness campaign should highlight the provisions of the BCEA. The campaign should clarify the broader meaning of the term 'forced labour'. Lead institution: DL. New policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Costs and time line: see (18).
The national public awareness campaign should highlight trafficking of children, and should in this respect be aimed at a range of audiences, including children, parents, teachers, perpetrators and intermediaries involved in trafficking, and the general public. Lead institution: DSD*. Secondary institutions: BSA, DC, DE, DSD, DL and SAPS.Costs and time line: see (18).
The national public awareness campaign should raise public awareness that people should immediately report to the police CSEC or other forms of exploitation of children to do illegal activities, such as carrying of drugs and children’s involvement in the making and selling of liquor. Lead institution: SAPS; secondary institution: GCIS. Costs and time line: see (18).
The national awareness campaign on child labour should encourage the eradication of practices where children are involved in making or selling liquor, or work in establishments where they are exposed to liquor or clients buying liquor. Lead institution: DL; Secondary institution:SAPS. New policy? Yes. Costs and time line: see (18).
The national awareness campaign on child labour should highlight the disadvantages and dangers of adult work that encourages child labour. See 7.2. Lead institution: DL. Secondary institution: DTI. New Policy? Elaboration of existing policy. Once off cost: minimal. Recurrent cost: minimal. Time line: within two years of adoption of policy.
Other actions steps regarding awareness-raising, discussed elsewhere, are:
Awareness should be raised regarding the national school fee policy in respect of exemptions for poorer families and children who are fostered. See (90).
Awareness raising regarding children's occupational safety and health, regulations issued in this regard, children's rights, also regarding safety and health for children working in subsistence agriculture. See (102).
