Argentinian union opens care facility for brick workers’ children

The Union Workers of Bricks Industry of the Republic of Argentina (UOLRA) on 18 February inaugurated a care center facility dedicated to provide safe spaces and care to children from brick-working families. 

Called the “Club Las Tapias,” the center built in Traslasierra, Córdoba is the product of the “Vamos al Club,” a tripartite initiative led by UOLRA, the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (SENAF) and the Municipality of Las Tapias. The project aims to eradicate child labour, host cultural and sports workshops and provide healthy food to children.

"This initiative is part of UOLRA's campaign to eradicate child labour in the brick industry by providing and strengthening child care centers,” UOLRA Anti-child labour coordinator Norberto Ismael Cafasso said. 

BWI Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean Nilton Freitas congratulated UOLRA for the successful launch of the center. “This is great news to start the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor in the Americas and a good example of UOLRA’s commitment to Argentina’s brick-working families.” 

The BWI-affiliated UOLRA said that the center will house approximately 100 boys and girls between 4 and 14 years old for six months. It said that many of the children came from Bolivian families who live and work in Argentina.

It was reported that the UN General Assembly in July 2019 declared 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, as part of the global actions to comply with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the level international.