dinero_admin The minister of Labor, Rolando Castro, along with representatives of the Cámara Salvadoreña de la Construcción (Casalco), announced the total eradication of child labor in the construction sector, calling the achievement a “titanic task” achieved thanks to the joint commitment of the government, the private sector, and international organizations. “We have made a permanent commitment to fight for the eradication of child labor”, Castro said.
During the press conference, the Vice President of the Republic, Félix Ulloa, emphasized that “children should only have backpacks with school supplies and toys on their backs,” recalling that the right to play and study is fundamental. Ulloa emphasized that eradicating poverty is key to preventing minors from entering the labor market, especially in high-risk sectors such as construction.
The resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Maribel Gutiérrez, highlighted that El Salvador has managed to reduce the number of children and adolescents in child labor by more than 200,000. She noted that these advances are the result of compliance with international conventions and public policies focused on protecting children’s rights.
The Vice President of the Higher Labor Council, Jorge Arriaza, described the announcement as “a special day” and congratulated the administration of President Nayib Bukele for the actions that have led to these achievements. He affirmed that this is a significant step toward ensuring the well-being and comprehensive development of salvadoran children.
Casalco president José Antonio Velásquez emphasized that the union has promoted comprehensive efforts in coordination with the Ministry of Labor and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to eliminate and prevent child labor. He added that these actions reflect the construction sector’s commitment to improving the quality of life of Salvadoran families and ensuring safe working environments.
