Child labour remains a critical issue that affects millions of children worldwide. The “Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward” report, released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, provides an updated perspective on the state of child labour globally. This article presents key findings from the report, highlighting the current challenges and trends in this area.
Stagnation in Progress Against Child Labour
The ILO and UNICEF’s report marks a concerning halt in the global fight against child labour. For the first time in twenty years, the momentum in reducing child labour has stopped. This stagnation is significant because it reverses the positive trend observed over the past two decades, where concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, and civil society had led to substantial progress in combating child labour.
Rise in Child Labour Numbers
The report’s findings are alarming: the number of children involved in child labour has surged to 160 million worldwide. This increase is not just a statistic; it represents millions of children’s lives profoundly affected by early entry into work, often under conditions that can be detrimental to their health, safety, and development.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Child Labour
The economic turmoil brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vulnerability of children to child labour. As families around the world have been plunged into financial uncertainty, many have turned to their children as a source of additional income. This crisis response has put countless children at risk and threatens to undo years of progress in reducing child labour.
Hazardous Work Among Children Intensifies
Not only has there been an overall increase in child labour, but the number of children engaged in hazardous work—a category of labour deemed particularly harmful to children’s health, safety, or morals—has also risen dramatically. Since 2016, there has been an increase of 65 million children in hazardous work conditions. This disturbing trend points to a growing number of children exposed to dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations.
Global Distribution and Sectoral Analysis
Child labour is a phenomenon that affects nearly every region of the world. However, it is more prevalent in certain areas, with the highest concentrations found in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The report provides insights into the distribution of child labour and highlights the sectors where it is most commonly found. Agriculture remains the sector with the highest incidence of child labour, followed by services and industry, including mining, construction, and manufacturing.
Gender Disparities in Child Labour
The report also sheds light on gender disparities within child labour. Boys are more likely to be engaged in child labour than girls. However, when considering the full scope of responsibilities, including household chores that are not categorized as economic activity, the gender gap narrows significantly. This underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of how child labour impacts boys and girls differently.
Policy Recommendations and the Road Forward
To combat the rise in child labour, the ILO and UNICEF report suggests several policy recommendations. These include expanding social protection to alleviate the financial burdens on families, investing in quality education, promoting fair labour practices, and enforcing labour laws. The report emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and the need for urgent action to reverse the current trends.
The release of this report ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in eradicating child labour. It calls for renewed commitment and innovative strategies to protect children’s rights and ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy a childhood free from exploitation.
