The Commissioner of Labour, Mrs. 'Mamohale Matsoso says child labour continues as a problem in Lesotho as there are still under-age children who work as domestic workers and herders.

Mrs. Matsoso, who is from the Ministry of Labour and Employment was addressing delegates at the Southern African Development Community Employment and Labour Sector (SADC ELS) ongoing meeting at 'Manthabiseng Convention Centre on Tuesday.

She attributed the ongoing problem to poverty, HIV/AIDS and culture, which she said play a major role in perpetuating the problem in the country.

Mrs. Matsoso noted that lack of supportive laws to redress the current status in the country exacerbates the problem thus hindering her ministry to intervene.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Senior Officers and Social Partners and also the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Lesotho, Mr. Rets'elisitsoe Khetsi said in 2000, the Government of Lesotho introduced Free Primary Education as part of strategies to prevent child labour in the country.

Discussions cover issues of labour and employment, which will be placed before the SADC ELS Ministers on Thursday at the same venue.

Source: LENA 02/04/2008