World Day against Child Labour | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the World Day against Child Labor on 12 June shows that around 20 to 30 percent of children in low income countries by age 15 have completed their schooling and entered into the labour market. These young people who have taken on work as children are more likely later in life to settle for unpaid family jobs or low paying jobs. The goal that the ILO is hoping to accomplish with this new data is keeping children in school so they can receive a good education until at least the minimum age of employment.

The most recent estimate from the ILO is that 168 million children are in child labour, with 120 million of them aged 5 to 14 and as many as many as five million children are in slavery-like conditions. Children who leave school early are less likely to secure stable paid jobs than those who stayed in school. The report also discovered that many 15-17 year old in countries have jobs that are classified as hazardous or worst forms of child labour. The children that have been found to be working these jobs were more likely to have left school early as well.

The ILO wants to focus these efforts on the children in hazardous labour work and aiding girls and young women. Hundreds of events are scheduled in 55 countries for the celebration of World Day against Child Labour on 12 June to bring awareness to the struggle of young children in low income countries in the labour market.

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