UN Warns: Child Labor on Rise

By Staff, Agencies 

The UN announced that child labor has increased to 160 million – the first rise in two decades – and that number could swell by millions more because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF] and International Labor Organization [ILO] found 8.4 million children were pushed into child labor over the last four years and nine million more are at risk of a similar path by the end of 2022 as a result of COVID-19.

And the worst-case scenario is even more sobering. An ILO simulation model showed the number of children at risk could rise to 46 million if they do not have access to critical social protection coverage.

“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 a press release.

He further mentioned that “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 labor.”

Governments and international organizations had made significant strides in eradicating child labor between 2000-2016 it fell by 94 million children, according to ILO figures. But the last four years have seen a worrying reversal of that trend.

Children aged five to 11 years performing child labor now account for more than half the total global figure, according to the report’s findings. And the number of children aged five to 17 years who are doing work that is dangerous or harmful to their health, safety or morals rose by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016.

The agriculture sector accounts for 70 percent, or 112 million, of working children.