Although child labor has reduced by 50 percent, millions are still involved in hazardous work
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The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have published a report on Wednesday that in 2024, around 138 million children are involved in child labor around the world. Out of which, more than 54 million children are involved in risky work that seriously affects their health, safety or mental development.
The report concludes that although 22 million children have been freed from child labor since 2020, the global goal of completely eliminating child labor by 2025 is incomplete.
The report titled 'Child Labour: Global Estimates 2024, Trends and Way Forward' was released on the eve of the World Day Against Child Labor (June 12). The report has revealed the fact that despite some achievements, children's rights are still being lost. Children's place is school, not work. "Child labor cannot be ended without decent employment for parents," ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo says.
Most child labor is in the agricultural sector According to the data of the
report, 61 percent of child labor is in the agricultural sector. After that, children are seen working in the service sector (27 percent) and industry (13 percent). The greatest progress has been seen in Asia and the Pacific, where there were 49 million child laborers in 2020, which has now dropped to 28 million. Latin America and the Caribbean region also saw a total decrease of 11 percent. However, sub-Saharan Africa still appears to be the most affected. There are about 87 million children involved in child labour. The total number has remained stable due to population growth.
Education and social security crisis
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that children should spend time in schools and playgrounds, not in mines, factories or farms. "Without investment in social security and education, children are forced into labor," he said.
With the potential global economic crisis, the report warns that child labor will increase again when investment in education, social security and livelihood is cut. The report states that poverty, lack of quality education and lack of social security are the main causes of child labour.
Child labor has a negative impact on education, health and future. "Boys are more likely to be in labor than girls, but when household work of more than 21 hours per week is included, girls appear to be at greater risk," the report states.
Five suggestions of ILO and UNICEF
ILO and UNICEF have asked the government to invest in the social security system to eliminate child labor and arrange child allowance. The child protection system should be strengthened and children at risk should be identified and rehabilitated. Access to quality education should be ensured in rural and distressed areas. "Decent employment for adults and youth should be ensured," the report said, "Child labor should be removed from the supply chain while ensuring the implementation of laws and business accountability."
