World Day Against Child Labour An Opportunity to Advocate
We have gathered 9 staggering facts on child labor to mark World Day Against Child Labour.
In 2002, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour to raise awareness of the plight of working children and to combat child labor around the world.
Today, June 12th, serves as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labor, provides an opportunity to gain support from the government and the public, and reiterates the fact that every child has a right to a childhood and a quality education.
We have gathered some staggering facts on child labor around the world:
#1. 168 million children worldwide are in child labor, accounting for almost 11% of the child population as a whole. (ILO)
#2. Children in hazardous work that directly endangers their health, safety and moral development make up more than half of all child laborers. (ILO)
#3. The largest absolute number of child laborers is found in Asia and the Pacific region. (ILO)
#4. Children in the 5-11 years age group account for the largest share of all child laborers: 73 million, or 44% of the total child labor population. (ILO)
#5. Agriculture is by far the most important sector, accounting for 59% of all those in child labor and over 98 million children in absolute terms. (ILO)
#6. Cotton cultivation is one of the textile industry’s main activities to use a large number of child laborers who work at least nine hours per day (Fashion Mag | Shop Ethical)
#7. There are several countries that are particularly notorious for child labor in the textile and garment industry – including India, Uzbekistan, China, Bangladesh, Egypt, Thailand and Pakistan. (SOMO)
#8. About 14 million children produce goods in sweatshops, or often, in more dangerous informal home-based or small-scale manufacturing operations. (ILRF)
#9. Children involved in garment and footwear manufacturing are typically exposed to loud noise, extreme temperatures, sharp tools, dangerous machinery and dust. (Just-Style)
To learn more, check out these organizations fighting to eradicate child labor:
International Labor Right Forum plays a leading role in combating child labor by documenting it, increasing consumer awareness, pressing companies with child labor in their supply chains to take action, and engaging governments on what they need to do to address the issue.
Anti-Slavery International works collaboratively with other NGOs, inter-governmental bodies and trade unions, and focus on the worst forms of child labour and slavery-like practices.
Unicef child protection programs strive to create a world where every child grows up free from fear and harm.
