In a recent brief from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, it has bee said that millions of children, are at risk of being pushed into child labour. This will be an after effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, which could lead to the rise in child labour after 20 years of progress.
In 2017, global estimates showed that 152 million children were in child labour, worldwide.
Children in child labour, may be working longer hours and in terrible conditions, according to the report by UNICEF and ILO.
There is fear, that these children will be forced into the worst forms of labour, which will endager their health and safety.
“As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labour,” Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General has said.
“As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labour,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.
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“Social protection is vital in times of crisis, as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable. Integrating child labour concerns across broader policies for education, social protection, justice, labour markets, and international human and labour rights makes a critical difference.”
“In times of crisis, child labour becomes a coping mechanism for many families,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “As poverty rises, schools close and the availability of social services decreases, more children are pushed into the workforce. As we re-imagine the world post-COVID, we need to make sure that children and their families have the tools they need to weather similar storms in the future. Quality education, social protection services and better economic opportunities can be game changers.”
There is evidence accumulating, on how child labour is rising, due to the closure of schools during this pandemic. Temporary school closures has affected over 1 billion learners, in over 130 countries. It is also being speculated, that when schools will re-open, there are parents who may no longer afford to send their children to school.
This in return, will lead to children being exploited and working under unsafe conditions. According to the brief by ILO and UNICEF, gender inequalities may grow acute, with girls particularly vulnerable to exploitation in domestic work and agriculture
