THE community has been urged not to engage in child labour practices or allow anyone to involve children in such acts, emphasizing that child protection is the responsibility of every citizen.

Senior Labour Officer from the Prime Minister's Office, Oddo Hekela, made the call recently while educating citizens who attended the on-going National Farmers’ Exhibition (Nanenane) at the Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma.

He said Section Five of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, Chapter 366, prohibits children under the age of fourteen from engaging in informal work, including loading goods, vehicle transportation, and factory jobs.

He further explained that the government continues to educate the public through these Nanenane exhibitions, reminding society that employing children under 14 is illegal, and it is the responsibility of every individual in the community to ensure children are raised in safe environments that allow them to grow healthily, gain education, and develop morally.

The Prime Minister's Office has continued to provide education to citizens at the ongoing Nanenane exhibitions in Dodoma, including raising awareness about the dangers of child labour.

Additionally, citizens have been informed about hazardous jobs that children are involved in, which result in the denial of their fundamental rights such as access to education, health care, protection from abuse, participation in play, and the right to proper upbringing.