Global firms need to follow up talk on Child Slavery with action – Aontú

Companies operating in Ireland must end the use of child labour in supply chains, said the Cathaoirleach of Ógra Aontú.

Speaking on the International Day Against Child Labour, Ben Conroy said “child labour is modern slavery, and our global companies in our society still rely on it”.

“At a time in which people are becoming increasingly aware of the many structural injustices that are present in the modern world,” he said, “we see major corporations talking a good game about inclusion and equality.

“But it’s one thing to talk about it: another to do something about it.”

Mr Conroy continued, saying: “Black lives matter, and black children’s lives matter.

“Successive governments have been very keen to make Ireland an attractive place for multinationals to operate: the government should insist that companies operating in Ireland need to be child labour free.”