12 June 2011 - World Day Against Child Labour

Hundreds of millions of children throughout the world are forced to work and their rights to adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms are violated. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour and illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.

In 2011 the day will be dedicated to those children involved in hazardous work. According to ILO’s most recent global estimate around 115 million are illegally involved in hazardous work. This is work that by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm children’s health, safety or morals. Children working in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to such risks and the problem is global, affecting industrialised as well as developing countries.

Further information
Previous editions and History
World Day against child labour 2011