Child Labour Rises to 160m, as COVID-19 Makes More Vulnerable- UN

The UN on Thursday said for the first time in two decades the number of children put to work had risen to 160 million worldwide, representing an increase of 8.4 million over four years.

In a report on “Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward,’’ the UN stated that more children would still be put to risk of child labour due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The report published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), urged governments and international development banks to prioritise education of children.

UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, urged governments to prioritise investments in programmes that could get children out of the workforce and back into school.

She also called for better social protection programmes that could help families avoid making this choice in the first place.

Released ahead of World Day against Child Labour on 12th June, the report warns that progress to end child labour has stalled for the first time in 20 years.

The report notes that reversing the previous downward trend that saw the number put to work fall by 94 million between 2000 and 2016.

It points to a significant rise of children working between the ages of age and 11, which accounts for just over half of the total global figure.

And, those between five and 17 in hazardous work, which is likely to harm their health, safety or moral well-being, has risen by 6.5 million since 2016, to 79 million.

“The new estimates are a wake-up call; we cannot stand by while a new generation of children is put at risk,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

In sub-Saharan Africa, population growth, recurrent crises, extreme poverty, and inadequate social protection measures have led to an additional 16.6 million children in child labour over the past four years, according to the report.

And, COVID-19 is endangering progress made in Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean regions.

The report warns that globally, nine million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic, which could rise to 46 million without access to critical social protection coverage.

“Inclusive social protection allows families to keep their children in school even in the face of economic hardship. Increased investment in rural development and decent work in agriculture is essential,” Ryder explained.

Additional economic shocks and school closures caused by COVID-19 mean that children already obliged or forced to work, may be working longer hours or under worsening conditions.

Also, job and income losses among vulnerable families caused by COVID-19 may push many more into the worst forms of child labour.

“We are losing ground in the fight against child labour, and 2020 has not made that fight any easier.

“Now, well into a second year of global lockdowns, school closures, economic disruptions and shrinking national budgets, families are forced to make heart-breaking choices,” UNICEF chief added.

To reverse the upward trend, ILO and UNICEF are calling for adequate social protection, including universal child benefits.

They are also calling for increased spending on quality education and getting all children back into school, including those forced out before COVID-19; and investment in child protection systems, rural public services and livelihoods.

As part of the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, the global partnership Alliance 8.7, of which UNICEF and ILO are partnering to take actions against child labour.

They are encouraging Member States, regional and international organisations and others to redouble their efforts in the global fight against child labour by making concrete action pledges.

Beginning Friday, the ILO and UNICEF chiefs will join other prominent speakers and youth advocates at a high-level event at the International Labour Conference during a week of action, discussing the new global estimates and roadmap ahead.

“We are at a pivotal moment and much depends on how we respond. This is a time for renewed commitment and energy, to turn the corner and break the cycle of poverty and child labour,” said the ILO Director-General.