World Day Against Child Labour Spotlights Human Rights of Children

(New York, 12 June 2012) - With the theme, "Human rights and social justice...let's end child labour", World Day Against Child Labour today spotlights the right of all children to be protected from child labour and from other violations of fundamental human rights.

The World Day Against Child Labour promotes awareness and action to tackle child labour. Although governments must take the lead role in tackling child labour, all societal actors have a role to play in helping to effectively abolish child labour. Building the worldwide movement against child labour at global, national and local levels is key.

Child labour is a major impediment to children’s rights and a barrier to development. Children should be at school being educated, and acquiring skills that prepare them for decent work as adults. By entering the labour market prematurely, they are deprived of critical education and training that can help to lift them, their families and communities out of a cycle of poverty. In its worst forms, child labourers may also be exposed to physical, psychological or moral suffering that can cause long term damage.

Two hundred fifteen million children worldwide are involved in child labour, with more than half this number involved in its worst forms. The most recent estimates suggest 127 million boys and 88 million girls are involved in child labour, with 74 million boys and 41 million girls in the worst forms. National laws or regulations may permit the employment of 13-15 year olds in light work which is neither prejudicial to school attendance, nor harmful to a child’s health or development. Children ages 12-14 can apply for light work in countries that specify a minimum age of 14.

Blanket policies on not employing children under 18 may contribute to youth unemployment. Decent work opportunities for young people above the relevant minimum ages for employment are encouraged.

• For guidance (in multiple languages) for employers on understanding and preventing child labour, as well as withdrawal of children from child labour and the protection of young workers from hazardous conditions, see Eliminating Child Labour: Guides for Employers.
• For what businesses can do to respect and support children's rights in the workplace, marketplace and community, see the Children's Rights and Business Principles.
• The ILO and the UN Global Compact are establishing a Child Labour Platform, which had a pilot phase during 2011. For information on this effort, see the Meeting of the Child Labour Platform / UN Global Compact Labour Working Group.

Contacts

Benjamin Smith
ILO IPEC
ipec@ilo.org

Ursula Wynhoven
UN Global Compact
wynhoven@un.org