Many families face financial difficulties every year and, in some cases, that means children’s safety is at a greater risk. Millions of children may become exploited and forced into labor for a variety of reasons. Child labor can lead to a person experiencing mental and physical issues and even death. It can result in economic or physical abuse. Furthermore, it restricts children’s basic rights by keeping them out of school and the medical system.
What exactly does ‘child labor’ mean?
Child labor is defined as work done against both national and international law, and to the harm and endangerment of children.
See also: What is child labor and how can we end it?
The worst types of child labor include the enslavement of children, separation from their families, the exposure of minors to dangerous situations and diseases, and/or the abandonment of young children on the streets of big cities.
However, not every job done by children should be categorized as child labor and targeted for eradication. The involvement of children and teenagers in activities that have no impact on their health or individual growth is typically seen as being beneficial. This includes helping parents around the house and earning money outside of school hours and/or during holidays.
Source: United Nations
Five biggest organizations tackling child labor
According to data provided by the United Nations, globally around 218 million children are victims of child labor and are being deprived of their right to education, health, and safety. To address the issue of child labor, a myriad of organizations across the planet are fighting it almost non-stop and these are five of the largest and most prominent.
The International Labour Organization (ILO)
Pursuing the initial objective that social justice is crucial to universal and long-term stability, the ILO is committed to advancing social justice and maintaining globally recognized human and labor rights. The organization became one of the UN’s specialized agencies in 1946.
The ILO unites governments, hiring managers, and labor representatives from 187 Member States to establish labor standards and create policies and programs that support decent employment for everybody.
Case study:
In April 2024, the Kenyan Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in partnership with the ILO, confirmed the official commencement of the Acceleration Action on Elimination of Child Labour African Project (ACCEL) in the country. The project’s goal is to eradicate child labor throughout Africa’s cocoa, gold, cotton, tea, and coffee supply chains. Governments, trade unions, civil society groups, supply chain participants, and UN agencies will all collaborate together on this project.
United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF aims to eradicate child labor by focusing on improving the social service workforce. It also prioritizes enhancing family and community education programs to combat detrimental social norms that support child labor. In collaboration with the ILO, the organization helps to gather information that allows decision-makers to spot child labor activities.
Case study:
In 2020, UNICEF set up an initiative to eliminate the most harmful types of child labor in Zarqa and Amman. This program helps numerous children to leave hazardous workplaces and return to education and training. Additionally, the program aims to assist their families to lessen the burden of having to have their children go to work.
World Vision
This is one of the world’s largest child-centered development organizations, assisting almost 3.5 million children. It tackles child labor in collaboration with communities and governing bodies, as well as the UN, and it commits to finding ways to give children the love and care they need. It also educates people how to recognize circumstances in which children could be taken advantage of.
Case study:
In 2017, to enable community members and child protection organizations to mitigate and react to child abuse and exploitation World Vision Ethiopia began integrating mobile phone technology into its child protection strategy.
In addition, World Vision oversaw the creation of a brand-new electronic case management system for the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Honduras which enabled it to monitor and respond to instances of breaches of labor rights in the country, thereby reducing child labor and improving he rights of workers in the nation.
Save the Children
Founded over 100 years ago, the Save the Children NGO works to advance and protect children’s rights across almost 120 nations. Its mission is to guarantee children access to quality education, protection services, housing, nutrition, and medical care.
Operating in regions that face child labor, the organization teaches locals about children’s rights and explains why education is much more vital for them than working at this age.
Case study:
According to Save the Children, the biggest rebel group in Colombia recruits girls and boys over the age of 15 which is a violation of a truce reached between the authorities and the rebels. The organization urged Colombia to take all the necessary steps to stop this practice. Since 1991, Save the Children has been present in Colombia, providing clean water, sanitation, medical care, and schooling to children.
The Global March Against Child Labour (Global March)
Global March participates in local, regional, national, and international initiatives aimed at defending and advancing children’s rights. It began in 1998, when, to raise awareness of the issue, numerous people decided to march against child labor in 103 different nations.
Today, Global March encompasses trade unions, teacher associations, and civic organizations. Its main goals include the eradication of child trafficking and exploitation and the provision of high-quality education.
Case study:
Specifically targeting Bangladesh’s rural-coastal regions, the Global March concentrates on attempts to end child labor in the farming sector. Climate change is having a significant impact on these areas, which makes migration, displacement, poverty, and child labor worse. The program’s goals include improving local education systems, and giving families more economic possibilities in order to ensure a reliable income.
