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

Explore the social media wall

World Day Against Child Labour 2025; June 12th.

FORUM: "Progress is clear, but there's more to do: let’s speed up efforts!" World Day Against Child Labour 2025. This year’s theme reflects both the progress achieved and the urgency to intensify action to meet global targets. The observance will focus on a key milestone: the release of the 2025 global estimates and trends of child labour. This ILO and UNICEF joint report will provide a comprehensive overview of where we stand in our global commitments to eliminate child labour. Although the detailed data are not yet available, the estimates and trends identified will guide policy debates and calls for renewed commitment and investment. On this World Day, we will call for full ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age and the implementation of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Their effective ratification and implementation remain essential to achieving the goals set by the Durban Call to Action, which urges us to aim for strengthened prevention, protection, and partnerships to eliminate child labour. Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality. The ILO works closely with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, and international partners to support policies and programmes that address the root causes of child labour—strengthening social protection, education systems, and decent work opportunities for adults and youth. The World Day against Child Labour is widely supported by these actors, along with UN agencies and individuals committed to building a world free of child labour. The ILO, together with its constituents and partners have called for:

Reinvigorated international action to achieve social justice, particularly under the envisaged Global Coalition for Social Justice, with child labour elimination as one of its important elements;


Universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age, which, together with the universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved in 2020, would provide all children with legal protection against all forms of child labour; and the


Effective implementation of the “Durban Call to Action” to ensure universal access to social protection and to help construct a path towards a world free of child labour, as called under SDG Target 8.7, and in SDG Target 1.3.

Why and where do children work?, How did child labor change over time?; Everyone has a role to play; Let’s speed up efforts to end child labour everywhere!

Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WDACL, #SocialJustice, #WorldChildLabourDay; #12June, #EndChildLabour.

EVENTS: On Wednesday, June 11th from 13:30 until 14:45 (Europe/Zurich) a high-level side event will be organized by the ILO during the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference. Organized on the margins of the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference, this high-level event will mark the World Day Against Child Labour 2025 with the launch of the ILO-UNICEF joint report on the latest global estimates of child labour. The event brings together ILO constituents and partners to discuss the implications of the new global estimates and trends in child labour, and the steps needed to accelerate progress. This high-level event provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the urgent need for stronger action to meet global goals. On this World Day against Child Labour, the ILO calls for the full ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age and the implementation of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Their effective ratification and implementation remain essential to achieving the goals set by the Durban Call to Action, which urges strengthened prevention, protection, and partnerships to eliminate child labour.Watch the high-level event!

On Thursday, June 12th from 13:30 until 14:45 (Europe/Zurich) to observe the World Day Against Child Labour 2025, The participants will discuss the fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and celebrate the 26 years since the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182. The conference will also provides an opportunity for tripartite constituents to discuss advances and challenges in relation to the elimination of child labour with the aim to improve implementation worldwide, as well as to promote universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 138.

ACTIVITIES: Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality. Check out the activities to mark the World Day taking place in your country!; Interested in training;Take a look at upcoming events, which include courses for data users and data producers.

PUBLICATIONS: Child Labour and Education: New Perspectives and Approaches.

Suggested documents to read on EMPLOYMENT -World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 and the World Employment and Social Outlook: May 2024 Update; On LABOUR UNDERUTILIZATION -The jobs gap: Measuring labour underutilisation beyond unemployment; On INFORMAL ECONOMY - Statistical Methodology Series 11 – Identification of informality through labour force surveys.

STATEMENTS: Message from the ILO Director-General on On World Day Against Child Labour 2025, June 12th.

LIVESTREAM: Watch the High-level event will mark the World Day Against Child Labour 2025 with the launch of the ILO-UNICEF joint report on the latest global estimates of child labour.

World Day Against Child Labour 2024; June 12th.

FORUM: "Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!" World Day Against Child Labour 2024. This year’s World Day will focus on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999), which, in 2020, was the first ILO Convention to be universally ratified. While we will call on all remaining member States that have not done so to ratify Convention No. 138, the World Day will also be an opportunity for reminding all stakeholders to improve their implementation of  the two fundamental  ILO Conventions on child labour – ILO Convention No. 182 and ILO Convention No. 138 for Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973). While much progress has been made in reducing child labour over the years, recent years have seen global trends reverse, and, now more than ever it is important to join forces to accelerate action towards ending child labour in all its forms. With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, the international community made a commitment to the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025. Governments around the world have ratified ILO Conventions on child labour (Convention No. 182 ratified by all 187 ILO member States, and Convention No. 138 ratified by 176 member States) and are committed to their implementation. The Durban Call to Action, adopted by delegates following the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in 2022, shows the way. The ILO, together with its constituents and partners have called for:

• Reinvigorated international action to achieve social justice, particularly under the envisaged Global Coalition for Social Justice, with child labour elimination as one of its important elements;
• Universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age, which, together with the universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved in 2020, would provide all children with legal protection against all forms of child labour; and the
• Effective implementation of the “Durban Call to Action” to ensure universal access to social protection and to help construct a path towards a world free of child labour, as called under SDG Target 8.7, and in SDG Target 1.3.

Why and where do children work?, How did child labor change over time?. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WDACL, #SocialJustice, #WorldChildLabourDay; #12June, #EndChildLabour.

EVENTS: Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182. On Wednesday, June 12th from 13:30 until 14:45 (Europe/Zurich) to observe the World Day Against Child Labour 2024, a high-level side event will be organized by the ILO during the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference. The participants will discuss the fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and celebrate the 25 years since the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182. The conference wil also provides an opportunity for tripartite constituents to discuss advances and challenges in relation to the elimination of child labour with the aim to improve implementation worldwide, as well as to promote universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 138. The opening ceremony will start with the Opening Remarks by ILO Director-General and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate followed by two panels discussions; Panel 1: Eliminating child labour - progress, challenges and the way forward; Panel 2: Partnerships to scale up action, moderated by the Geneva Press Club. Watch the high-level event!

ACTIVITIES: Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality. Check out the activities to mark the Wprd Day taking place in your country!; Interested in training;Take a look at upcoming events, which include courses for data users and data producers.

WEBINARS: Towards a Resilient Future: An Inclusive Path to a Child Labor-Free World. To commemorate this year’s World Day Against Child Labor, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs invites you to join us to discuss the crucial intersection of climate change and child labor both in the U.S. and abroad, and the role that each of us—businesses, governments, civil society, and others— can play in accelerating a just transition to a more sustainable, equitable, and dynamic economy free of child labor. Watch the livestream!

PUBLICATIONS: Suggested documents to read on EMPLOYMENT -World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 and the World Employment and Social Outlook: May 2024 Update; On LABOUR UNDERUTILIZATION -The jobs gap: Measuring labour underutilisation beyond unemployment; On INFORMAL ECONOMY - Statistical Methodology Series 11 – Identification of informality through labour force surveys

STATEMENTS: Message from the ILO Director-General on On World Day Against Child Labour 2024, June 12th.

World Day Against Child Labour 2023; June 12th.

FORUM: "Social Justice for All: End Child Labour." World Day Against Child Labour 2023.

To mark the World Day Against Child Labour 2023 held every June 12, the International Labour Organization's World of Work Show looks at what else needs to be done to protect the 160 million children worldwide who are in child labour - many in dangerous conditions. We will also explore the critical role of social protection in protecting workers and their families.. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #12june, #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour, #WDACL, #SocialJustice, #EndChildLabour

EVENTS: To observe the World Day Against Child Labour 2023 on Monday, June 12th from 13:30 until 14:45 (Europe/Zurich), a high-level side event will be organized by the ILO during the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference. The discussion will focus on the link between social justice and the elimination of child labour. Panellists will highlight examples of how ILO constituents have followed up on their commitments and how these are important steps towards increasing social justice. The World Day will be celebrated by many of the ILO tripartite constituents throughout the world. Watch the event!

Statement from the ILO Director-General on On World Day Against Child Labour 2023, June 12th.

This year, World Day against Child Labour takes the theme, Social Justice for All. End Child Labour! .

Yet what is happening with child labour is the very opposite of social justice.

For the first time in 20 years, child labour is on the rise.

160 million children, almost one-in-10 worldwide, are in child labour.

What’s worse, half – 80 million – are in the most hazardous forms of child labour; that’s work with a real threat to their physical and mental health.

But child labour rarely happens because parents are bad, or do not care. Rather, it springs from a lack of social justice.

The antidote to poverty-driven child labour is decent work for adults, so they can support their families and send their children to school, not to work.

Decent work means ending forced labour, creating safe and healthy workplaces, and letting workers organize and voice their needs.

It means ending discrimination – because child labour often affects marginalized groups.

We must step up our fight against child labour, by supporting greater social justice. If we do this, an end to child labour is not just possible. It is within reach.

ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.

Featured Daily Bulletin; Make social justice a priority issue on the global agenda, says ILO Director-General.

Multimedia coverage on demand.

Photo albums

World of Work Shows

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: #ILC2023 social media wall

SUMMIT: 14-15 June 2023 at ILO HQ. Learn how to participate to the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All.

PUBLICATIONS: Advancing social justice; Report of the ILO Director-General to the 111th International Labour Conference.

On the agenda

1. Standard-setting discussion on apprenticeships
2. General Discussion on a Just Transition
3. Recurrent Discussion on Labour Protection
4. Application of Standards
5. General Affairs Committee
6. Full agenda

ACTIONS

- Support greater social justice.
- Step up the fight against child labour.

KEY MESSAGES: To bring social justice to all we must end child labour.

BROADCASTS: Social Justice for All. End Child Labour! .

World Day Against Child Labour 2022; June 12th.

 FORUM: "Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour" World Day Against Child Labour 2022.

12 June marks the World Day Against Child Labour under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.” On this day, the ILO, together with its constituents and partners, is calling for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour.

Social protection is both a human right and a potent policy tool to prevent families from resorting to child labour in times of crisis. However, as of 2020 and before the COVID-19 crisis took hold, only 46.9 per cent of the global population were effectively covered by at least one social protection benefit. Coverage for children is even lower. Nearly three quarters of children, 1.5 billion, lacked social protection.

 STATEMENTS

In his statement for World Day Against Child Labour 2022, International Labour Organization Director-General, Guy Ryder, warns the choices made by governments now will make or break the lives of millions of children. He says social protection is one of the most powerful measures to prevent child labour, providing families with income security in difficult times.

EVENTS

• World Day Against Child Labour: High-level Discussion on Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour 

Friday, 3 June 2022 at 15:30 until 17:00 (Europe/Zurich)
High-level event organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) during the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference, with the support of Alliance 8.7 and the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection (USP2030). The discussion will focus on the ILO/UNICEF report on social protection and child labour, released at the 5th Global Conference on Child Labour in May 2022. This report demonstrates that a majority of studies on the links between social protection and child labour have identified a child labour reduction effect.
Hosts
Guy Ryder. ILO Director-General International Labour Organization (ILO)
Catherine Russell, Executive Director United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

• 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour

Durban, 15-20 May 2022.

PUBLICATIONS

For more information on social protection and child labour see the report: The role of social protection in the elimination of child labour: Evidence review and policy implications .

Durban Call to Actionon the Eliminationof Child Labour

We, the representatives of governments, employers’ organizations and workers’ organizations, together with United Nations Agencies, international and civil society organizations, businesses, children and academic institutions, the participants of the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, gathered in Durban, South Africa and around the world, stand together in our commitment to prevent and eliminate child labour and forced labour; Welcoming the universal ratification of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) by all ILO Member States, an historic first, which is also the most rapidly ratified Convention in the history of the ILO, and the decisive strides made by governments, employers’ organizations, and workers’ organizations resulting in a decline in child labour of some 86 million since 2000; Alarmed that, according to the 2020 Global Estimates of Child Labour, 160 million girls and boys remain in child labour, half of whom are in hazardous work; 112 million are in agriculture; and the recruitment of child soldiers continues; and that in the 2016-2020 period, child labour increased by 8.9 million, entirely among children aged 5-11; Noting with grave concern the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, and humanitarian and environmental crises, which threaten to reverse years of progress against child labour; Convinced that meeting target 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to end child labour in all its forms by 2025, requires immediate, intensified, gender-responsive, wellcoordinated, multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder, rights-based action to scale up efforts to eliminate child labour and forced labour; Recalling target 8.7, the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105); the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its first and second Optional Protocols; the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 1.31 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; Recognizing that decent work for all, including for women, in all their diversity, and adequate income for adults, inclusive and well-performing education systems, and adequate social protection systems are essential for child labour elimination and for protection against poverty, the main cause of child labour; Respecting children’s capacity to form their own views and their right to effectively participate and express those views freely in all matters affecting them; Recognizing the responsibility of businesses and their contribution to the elimination of child labour and forced labour by carrying out due diligence in their operations and supply chains and ensuring responsible and sustainable business practices that address the root causes of child labour and forced labour, in line with the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; further acknowledging the role of guidance from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, including the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct. 

CALL TO ACTION 

We adopt on the twentieth day of May of the year two thousand and twenty-two this Durban Call to Action on the Elimination of Child Labour.

 We commit to scale up action to: 

I - Accelerate multi-stakeholder efforts to prevent and eliminate child labour, with priority given to the worst forms of child labour, by making decent work a reality for adults and youth above the minimum age for work. 

II - End child labour in agriculture. 

III - Strengthen the prevention and elimination of child labour, including its worst forms, forced labour, modern slavery and trafficking in persons, and the protection of survivors through datadriven and survivor-informed policy and programmatic responses.

IV - Realize children’s right to education and ensure universal access to free, compulsory, quality, equitable and inclusive education and training. 

V - Achieve universal access to social protection. 

VI - Increase financing and international cooperation for the elimination of child labour and forced labour

World Day against Child Labour 2021; 12 June

FORUM: Act now: end Child Labour; World Day against Child Labour 2021.

This year’s World Day Against Child Labour focuses on action taken for the 2021 International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. It is the first World Day since the universal ratification of the ILO’s Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and takes place at time when the COVID-19 crisis threatens to reverse years of progress in tackling the problem.

In June for the World Day, the ILO and UNICEF will release new global estimates and trends on child labour (2016-2020), under the aegis of Alliance 8.7. The report will include an assessment of how the pace of progress towards ending child labour is likely to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented economic crisis that has accompanied it.

For this year’s World Day, a “Week of Action” will be launched around 12 June, starting with the launch of the new global estimates on child labour. The events and activities carried out during this week will be an opportunity for partners to showcase progress in carrying out their “2021 Action Pledges.” All pledges made by regional, national and organizational stakeholders and individuals will be featured on the website for the 2021 International Year in April.

High-Level Debate:

The World Day Against Child Labour 2021 will be marked by a high-level virtual side event, organized by ILO and UNICEF, during the International Labour Conference. The event will be followed by an interactive discussion between high-level speakers and youth advocates on paving the way to 2025, highlighting efforts made to implement International Year “2021 Action Pledges.”   Click here to follow the event live.

Launching End Child Labour Virtual Race 2021

Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward

Music Against Child Labour Competition

2021: International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour

World Day Against Child Labour 2016, June 12

 世界無童工日, 6月12日。
Всемирный день борьбы с детским трудом, 12 июня.
World Day Against Child Labour, 12 June.
 Día mundial contra el trabajo infantil, 12 de junio.
Journée mondiale contre le travail des enfants, 12 Juin.
اليوم العالمي لمناهضة عمل الأطفال في 12 حزيران.

 

Theme 2016 : End child labour in supply chains - It's everyone's business!
Thème 2016 :Éliminer le travail des enfants dans les chaînes de production - C'est l'affaire de tous!
2016年主題：結束童工的供應鏈 - 這是每個人的事！
Тема 2016: Конец детского труда в цепях поставок - это дело каждого!
 Tema 2016: Eliminar el trabajo infantil en las cadenas de producción ¡Es cosa de todos!
موضوع 2016: إنهاء عمالة الأطفال في سلاسل التوريد - إنها مسؤولية الجميع!





Statement from the ILO Director-General Guy Ryder on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour 2016, June 12th.

That child labour has no place in well-functioning and well-regulated markets is evident. But the reality is that today, child labour remains widespread in supply chains.

It is unacceptable that there are still 168 million children in child labour, 85 million of whom are in hazardous work. Child labour is found in agriculture – 99 million – to mining, from manufacturing to tourism, producing goods and services consumed by millions every day. Child labour occurs predominantly in the rural and informal economies, beyond the reach of labour inspection, the protection of workers’ organizations or the governance benefits of employers’ and producers’ organizations.

It’s not just the lack of institutional protection in the rural and informal economies that increases the risk of child labour in supply chains; in household production and on family farms, children are often highly vulnerable because parents’ incomes are insufficient or because small family enterprises and farms cannot afford to replace child labour by hiring adults and youth. Piece rate production increases the risk with child labour helping parents to make up quotas and to assure family survival when parents are not earning a living wage. Global supply chains can offer opportunities for inclusive development for supplier firms, workers and host countries, but targeted action is needed to assure just outcomes.

Beyond child labour in high profile, global supply chains, many child labourers are also found in supply chains producing for local and national consumption and they must not be ignored.

There are encouraging signs of a will to act and to prevent child labour, to achieve greater transparency and visibility along supply chains as well as more effective enforcement of relevant laws.

The ILO’s Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) has been ratified by 168 member States and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) by 180 – near universal ratification. Governments are recognizing that the fight against child labour requires coherent policy packages to back child labour legislation: quality education, social protection and decent jobs for parents.

Companies are increasingly exploring how they might contribute to eliminating child labour by strengthening the capacity of enterprises throughout their supply chains – a complex task requiring partnerships involving governments, industry peers and employers’ and workers’ organizations. Forums such as the ILO’s Child Labour Platform allow enterprises to share good practices and develop new models for collaboration.

Global Framework Agreements between global trade union federations and multinational companies are one expression of global cooperation through social dialogue. At the grassroots of value chains too, rural workers’ and informal workers’ organizations are expanding innovative approaches to strengthen collective representation.

The ILO’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy of 1977 recognizes the role of enterprises in the elimination of child labour. With its focus on development and strengthening of enterprise capacity and social dialogue, this Declaration holds great potential to guide action against child labour.

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda reaffirms the goal of ending child labour. Acting together, it is within our means to make the future of work a future without child labour.

 

 

Guy Ryder

ILO Director-General.

 

Other Statements : 2016 World Day Against Child Labor: Child Labor and Supply Chains

U.S. State Department Spokesperson, John Kirby

 

 

 

Forum : World Day Against Child Labour - June 12.

 

This year, the focus for World Day Against Child Labour – marked on 12 June - is on child labour and supply chains. With 168 million children still in child labour, all supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction, run the risk that child labour may be present.

 

How to do business with respect for children’s right to be free from child labour: ILO-IOE child labour guidance tool for business 

 

Live Broadcasting: ILO High Level Panel Discussion - World Day against Child Labour 2016. UN Web TV

 

Live broadcasting: Talk with Mr Jesús Miguel Sanz, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of European Union in Thailand and the NIST International School, Bangkok, Thailand; on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour 2016.

  

 

 

Events : List of some activities around the world 

 

News :

• Marking World Day, UN stresses need for coherent policies to end child labour
• Eliminating and preventing child labour: Checkpoints for Companies 
•  A mobile application against child labour
• Tweets #NOchildlabour

 

 Publications :

•  E-learning module “Business and Decent Work: an introduction to the MNE Declaration” 
• Compendium of hazardous child labour lists and related legislation for selected countries 



Eliminating and Preventing Child Labour: Checkpoints app

Resources :

•  ILO's Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)
•  Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)
•  ILO's Child Labour Platform 
•  ILO's Tripartite Declaration of Principles
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• The goal of ending child labour.




Child Labour in Agriculture



Child labour on family farms should be addressed in an appropriate and context-sensitive way that respects local values and family circumstances

 

World Day Against Child Labour 2015, June 12

World Day Against Child Labour, 12 June.

世界无童工日, 6月12日.

Всемирный день борьбы с детским трудом, 12 июня.

 Día Mundial contra el Trabajo Infantil,12 de junio

 Journée mondiale contre le travail des enfants,12 juin.

اليوم العالمي لمناهضة عمل الأطفال، 12 يونيو

2015 Theme: NO To Child Labour-YES To Quality Education

2015年主题：对童工说“No”，-对高质量教育说“Yes”

 Тема Дня 2015 года «НЕТ – детскому труду, ДА – качественному образованию»

Tema de 2015: ¡NO al trabajo infantil – SÍ a una educación de calidad!

Theme 2015 : Non, au travail des enfants- Oui, à une éducation de qualité!
2015 الموضوع: لا، لعمل الأطفال - نعم، لجودة التعليم



 Statement by Mr. Guy Ryder, Director-General International Labour Organization on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour 2015.

 The unacceptable reality is that today millions of children around the world, some as young as five, are still working for their survival and that of their families. Yet progress has been made and should spur us all to re-commit to action to end child labour. On this World Day we highlight the link between education and child labour.

Making this link is key to developing effective strategies that can break the cycle of poverty which is a key factor, if not the sole factor, in producing child labour.

As things stand, the aspirations of many parents for their children and of children themselves for a decent education will remain unfulfilled dreams. Many girls and boys have no chance to attend school. Some try to combine school and work, but all too often must drop out of school well before reaching the legal age of employment and become child labourers.

The situation today is further aggravated by the impact of conflicts and crises. In conflict zones, students and sometimes their teachers have been the victims of violent attacks and kidnapping. Reports of schools being destroyed are not uncommon. The infrastructure of stability and prosperity is being undermined. In a range of circumstances families are fleeing physical and economic insecurity, crossing borders and hoping for a better life. Children make up a large share of these migration flows, at times travelling without their parents. Such journeys are frequently paths to child labour and exploitation.

Without adequate education, former child labourers are more likely than others to end up in poorly paid and insecure work as adults or to be unemployed. And there is a high probability that they will live in poverty and that their children will share the same fate.

A collective challenge and responsibility is to enable all children, girls and boys, to have access to education, quality education. Second-class education perpetuates second-class citizens. We all know that a solid education and good teachers can make a world of difference to the lives and futures of children and young people.

In 2014, the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded jointly to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai powerfully symbolized the close connection between the right to freedom from child labour and the right of all girls and boys to education. Their courage, their persistence and their vision should inspire us all to step up our action.

Ultimately, a future without child labour calls for inclusive development policies integrating decent work for adults, social protection floors and sound education systems. With political will and determination at all levels of development, priorities can be set, policy choices can be made and integrated action can be taken. A key challenge for the post-2015 development agenda and for action at global, regional and national levels is to secure sustainable and significant change.

The International Labour Organization and its government, employer and worker constituents have been in the forefront of the fight against child labour for nearly a century. We remain committed to working nationally, internationally and with the multilateral system to ensure children’s right to education and freedom from child labour as well as its corollary, the dignity of decent work for adults.

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-general.

 FORUM :  World Day Against Child Labour - June 12
World Report on Child Labour 2015: Paving the way to decent work for young people 

On this year’s World Day Against Child Labour we call for:

• free, compulsory and quality education for all children at least to the minimum age for admission to employment and action to reach those presently in child labour;
• new efforts to ensure that national policies on child labour and education are consistent and effective;
• policies that ensure access to quality education and investment in the teaching profession.

 

EVENTS :  In 2015 the World Day Against Child Labour will focus particularly on the importance of quality education as a key step in tackling child labour. 

High Level Pannel Discussion - World Day Against Child Labour 2015

It is very timely to do so, as in 2015 the international community will be reviewing reasons for the failure to reach development targets on education and will be setting new goals and strategies.

1. Jordan marks World Day Against Child Labour  - 13 June 2015

   This year’s events highlight the importance of education as a key step in tackling child labour.
   

2. High-Level Panel Discussion on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour 2015 - 12 June 2015

   On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, you are invited to join an interactive discussion on the theme of “No to child labour - Yes to quality education”.
   

3. World Day Against Child Labour - 12 June 

   The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of working children. Observed on June 12th, the day is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour.
   

4. Combating child labour through skills and livelihoods training for older children in some Arab States - (8 - 11 June 2015)

   The four-day regional workshop will examine ways in which participants from various Arab States can prepare and deliver skills and livelihoods training to older children who are at risk or removed from child labour.
   

5. Commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour 2015 - 22 May 2015

   The annual World Day Against Child Labour has been observed on 12th June 2015 since 2002. The theme for this year is Say No to child labour, Yes to Quality Education. Education is a human right and a key factor in reducing poverty and child labour.
   

6. Jordan trains new partners on ways to combat child labour - (15 - 19 May 2015)

   ILO and its partners train inspectors from the Greater Amman Municipality on ways to better identify and report on child labour cases.
   

7. Jordan expands rollout of its National Framework to Combat Child Labour - (13 May - 2 June 2015)

   Jordanian ministries, supported by the ILO, meet with inspectors from across the country to review their implementation of the National Framework, in efforts to expand rollout activities
   

8. Pilar Jurado will dedicate her concert at the LaborArte Festival 2015 to the Music against Child Labour Initiative - 11 May 2015

   At the Centro Cultural Conde Duque, in Madrid, Pilar Jurado, ILO Special Contributor, will dedicate her concert at the LaborArte Festival 2015.
   

9. “Raise Our Voices”, new song against child labour - 16 March 2015

   “Raise Our Voices” is a new song by DEYSofficial, a group composed of four Canadian siblings who have been singing professionally since they were children.
   

10. Pilar Jurado will perform her song for the eradication of child labour  -20 February 2015

    At Auditorio Municipal Maestro Padilla en Almería, Pilar Jurado, ILO Special Contributor, will perform her new song "Lullaby to sing to sleep a child who never rests"
    

11. "Today Festival - Say NO to Child Labour" concert  -20 February 2015

    Music event organised by the Soroptimist International Club of Sassari (Sardinia, Italy) in collaboration with the ILO on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice
    

12. Ministry of Labour, ILO, UNICEF, Save the Children launch study on plight of working children on streets in Lebanon  -16 February 2015

    ILO, UNICEF, Save the Children International and Ministry of Labour in Lebanon jointly launch new study.
    

World Report on Child Labour 2015: Paving the way to decent work for young people 

Resources :

- World Report on Child Labour 2015: Paving the way to decent work for young people 
- "Work in Progress", the ILO's Blog 
- Fighting Child Labour with quality education 

-Child labour and educational disadvantage - A review by UN Special Envoy on Global Education, Gordon -Brown  - report
-Mainstreaming child labour concerns in education plans  - guide
-Child labour and education: progress, challenges and future directions  - report
-A trade union guide to child labour and Education for All  - guide
-Resources for teachers and educators  - Education International website
-Out of work and into school  - video

-Combating child labour through education  - brochure

Campaign :

Red Card to Child Labour Campaign 
"Music against Child Labour" Initiative