Princess Lalla Meryem launches child labour initiative

Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco has launched the National Mechanism for the Eradication of Child Labour.

Upon arrival, the Princess reviewed a division of the Auxiliary Forces, which paid her honours. She was then greeted by the President Delegate of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, First President of the Court of Cassation, Mohamed Abdennabaoui, and the King’s Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation and President of the Public Prosecution Office, Hicham Balaoui.

The National Mechanism for the Eradication of Child Labour was organised under the patronage of King Mohammed and with the help of the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE). Princess Lalla Meryem will serve as its President. The system is designed to support a child from the moment they are removed from labour to their reintegration.

Princess Lalla Meryem launched the national “STOP Child Labour” campaign last June, which was shown on television, in the press and on social media. Its various videos have over 34 million views.

Although child labour has declined by more than 80% since 1999, it persists, with 1.3% of children from 7 to 17 working. This equates to nearly 103,000 children. The rate is 2,4% in rural areas.