Child labour on the rise for first time in 20 years: ILO

In a message for the World Day Against Child Labour, the ILO pointed out 160 million children, almost one-in-10 worldwide, are in child labour.

Making the scenario worse is that half, about 80 million, are in the most hazardous forms of child labour, which is work that pose a real threat to their physical and mental health.

”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,” said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.

He added that 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,” said Houngbo in his message.