The town of Sapa in northern Vietnam is employing loudspeakers to warn tourists not to buy goods or give money to children, VN Express has reported.
Vuong Trinh Quoc, chairman of Sa Pa Town People’s Committee, said the the problem of child labor had persisted despite previous efforts by the local government, in a statement on Jan. 4.
“Lately, even when the temperature dropped to 3 degrees Celsius, children were still put to the work. Adults use the children to seek compassion from tourists. We have had several organizations to raise awareness among parents. However, there has been no impact for a long time.” Quoc said. Accordingly, the town has decided to use loudspeakers to directly tell tourists not to give money or buy souvenirs from children.
On the New Year holiday, Sa Pa District People’s Committee arrived at several tourist attractions to call for action from tourists to stop child labor. Many tourists continuing giving the children money and many parents urging their sons and daughters to work, according to Quoc.
“Children have the right to study. We hope tourists do not support child labor, buy goods and give them money, in order to solve this problem together with the local government,” he added.
