The Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), the Labor Court, and the International Labor Organization (ILO) have launched a joint campaign to raise awareness about the risks of child labor during the Carnival festivities in Brazil.
Under the slogan “Child labor doesn’t parade in Carnival,” the campaign aims to raise awareness about the serious forms of exploitation that can occur during this celebration, including sexual exploitation, work on the streets and public spaces, and the sale of alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs by children and adolescents.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with MPT in Rio de Janeiro and the tourism company Riotur, emphasizes that Carnival is not only a time of fun but also a context where the rights of children and adolescents can be violated and exploited.
Luísa Carvalho Rodrigues, the national coordinator for Combating Child Labor and the Promotion and Defense of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, has warned about the concerning increase in child labor in Brazil, affecting 1.9 million children and young people. She highlighted the importance of strengthening prevention and awareness actions, especially during events like Carnival.
Minister Evandro Valadão, the national coordinator of the Program to Combat Child Labor and Promote Apprenticeship of the Labor Court, emphasized the need for all of society to contribute to Brazil’s commitment to eradicating child labor, especially during Carnival, where employment and income opportunities are created that must ensure respect for human and labor rights.
The website of the Unified Workers’ Central (CUT) denounces that during Carnival, it is common to see children and adolescents working in unhealthy activities, exposing them to physical and sexual abuse, as well as accidents. The campaign aims to raise awareness and prevent these practices, promoting a safe Carnival that respects the rights of children and adolescents.
