Ministry of Labor conducted an operation to prevent child labor in La Nueva Barquita

Santo Domingo. The Ministry of Labor carried out an operation focused on vulnerable sectors of La Nueva Barquita, with the objective of preventing and eradicating child labor, thus reaffirming the Dominican State’s commitment to the comprehensive protection of children. The activity was led by the minister, Eddy Olivares Ortega, whose management has prioritized the defense of the rights of children and adolescents, in line with the provisions of Article 56 of the Constitution of the Republic, which declares the prevention and eradication of child labor as the responsibility of the State. During his intervention, the official highlighted the importance of vocation and commitment to the protection of children.

“Passion for people is the fuel to do things well. If you don’t love what you do or believe in it, you will hardly get good results,” he said.

Olivares Ortega emphasized that childhood represents the most special stage of human life, characterized by innocence. He pointed out that child labor deprives minors of that stage, by imposing responsibilities of adults, who are prepared to assume them.

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He also stated that child labor is not justified at present, given that the State has the responsibility to guarantee the necessary conditions for the integral development of children.

“Today we are a country that is moving forward and has the capacity to offer our children the opportunity to study and have fun,” he indicated.

The minister added that this type of initiative also seeks to raise awareness among adults about their duty to protect children and ensure that this unrepeatable stage is lived to the fullest. “Childhood should be that magical time that is only lived once,” he concluded. For her part, the Director of Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor, Hilaria Hilario, explained that each action developed responds to a clear objective: to raise awareness, prevent and eradicate child labor, ensuring that children grow up in safe environments, with access to education, health and real development opportunities. In the act, Father Alegría, an icon of the defense of people’s rights, also spoke, who highlighted the work that the Ministry of Labor has been doing in favor of children and especially in that sector that has more than 6 thousand inhabitants in 1700 apartments delivered by the Dominican State. The operation was organized by the Directorate for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor (DPETI) and took place at the Sor Ángeles Valls Fe y Alegría Polytechnic.

During the day, various services were offered aimed at improving the quality of life of the communities, including awareness talks, guidance and support from the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), as well as social assistance through programs such as Supérate and INESPRE.

Comprehensive medical care was also provided, with ophthalmology services, delivery of medications and prescription eyeglasses. Likewise, informational and institutional support services were offered by the Ministry of Interior and Police, the RD Trabaja program, Legal Aid, and the areas of Occupational Safety and Health and SENAE of the Ministry of Labor. Similarly, educational and recreational activities were developed to promote the integral development of boys and girls, in addition to the delivery of lunch by the Economic Dining Rooms, as part of the social support to the participating families.