World Day Against Child Labour

Every 12 June, the International Labour Organization joins forces with ILO constituents and partners around the world to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour.

This year’s World Day will focus on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999), which, in 2020, was the first ILO Convention to be universally ratified. While we will call on all remaining member States that have not done so to ratify Convention No. 138, the World Day will also be an opportunity for reminding all stakeholders to improve their implementation of  the two fundamental  ILO Conventions on child labour – ILO Convention No. 182 and ILO Convention No. 138 for Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973).

While much progress has been made in reducing child labour over the years, recent years have seen global trends reverse, and, now more than ever it is important to join forces to accelerate action towards ending child labour in all its forms.    

With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, the international community made a commitment to the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025.  Governments around the world have ratified ILO Conventions on child labour (Convention No. 182 ratified by all 187 ILO member States, and Convention No. 138 ratified by 176 member States) and are committed to their implementation. The Durban Call to Action, adopted by delegates following the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in 2022, shows the way.   

Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality.