World Day Against Child Labour 2026; June 12th.

FORUM "Red Card to Child Labour: From Marrakesh to action " World Day Against Child Labour 2026. This year's observance comes at a decisive moment, following the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakech, which reaffirmed the need to accelerate progress and turn commitments into concrete results. Under the slogan “Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults”, the campaign calls for stronger action on quality education, social protection, decent work, stronger laws and enforcement, and other measures that address the root causes of child labour. Despite progress, 138 million children remain in child labour worldwide, including nearly 54 million in hazardous work. On this World Day Against Child Labour, raise the Red card to child labour and help turn the Marrakech commitments into real change for children, families and communities everywhere. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WDACL, #SocialJustice, #WorldChildLabourDay; #Childlabourer, #12June, #EndChildLabour, #RedcardtoChildLabour.

Statement of Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on World Day Against Child Labour 2026; June 12th.

Today, nearly 138 million children remain in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work.

This is unacceptable – we must accelerate action.

Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour gives us a roadmap grounded in decent work for parents, universal quality education, social protection and stronger laws and institutions.

For the first time, it includes clear indicators of progress and a built-in accountability mechanism to track implementation and to keep child labour high on the global agenda beyond 2030.

This year's theme – "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults" – reminds us that every child has the right to learn, to play and to grow up protected and safe.

Together, let us act with urgency and determination to end child labour.

EVENT: This event commemorates the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour. Opened by the ILO Director-General, this year's High-level event provides an opportunity for tripartite constituents to showcase country experiences and perspectives on follow up to the Marrakesh Global Framework for Action against Child Labour. This Framework, adopted at the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, hosted by the Government of Morocco, provides a roadmap committing governments, employers and workers to accelerated, transformative action against child labour. The event celebrates the Red Card to Child Labour campaign, with attendees raising Red cards as a stand against child labour. Register to participate and Watch the livestream!

Interpretation available: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, Russian.

Opening remarks 

Gilbert F. Houngbo; Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Younes Sekkouri; Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Morocco

Panelists

Nomakhosazana Meth; Minister of Employment and Labour, South Africa
Jordania Ureña Lora; Deputy General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Jacqueline Mugo; President, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
Tomás Alejandro Flores Noriega; Vice-Minister of Labour and Promotion of Employment, Peru

Speakers

Fillemon Wise Immanuel; Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Namibia
Marath Baruch Bolaños López; Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare, Mexico
Tanzila Narbaeva
Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Head of the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, Uzbekistan
Mohammed Alobaidli; Director-General, Golf Cooperation Council Executive Bureau of Labour and Social Development Council
Wisdom
Child labour survivor and fashion designer from Ghana

Moderator

Sophy Fisher; Communications Consultant.

GET INVOLVED!

Show your support for the global fight against child labour with the “Red card to child labour” campaign.

The red cards are available in more than 15 languages and can be freely browsed, downloaded, printed and used to help raise awareness and promote action everywhere. 

Explore the campaign resources and join the movement to help end child labour:

Learn more about the Red Card to Child Labour campaign

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