HACE’s Post

On the 12th of June is the World Day Against Child Labour. Every year, Stop Child Labour celebrates the work that has been done to eliminate child labour and calls attention to the work that still needs to be done. We must protect children’s rights. We all agree that children should not be working; they should be in school. While much progress has been made in reducing child labour over the years, global trends have reversed in recent years. It is now more important than ever to join forces to accelerate action to end child labour in all its forms. Click below to read more about the next steps and find out how Stop Child Labour promotes an area-based approach towards the creation of ‘child labour free zones’. https://lnkd.in/dw2Fte9B #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour #areabasedapproach

Let’s act on : End The Child Labour! This year's World Day will focus on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999, No. 182). It also presents an opportunity to remind all stakeholders to improve their implementation of the two fundamental Conventions on child labour - Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973). Although significant strides have been taken in reducing child labour over time, recent years have seen global trends reverse, underscoring the pressing need to unite efforts in expediting actions to eradicate child labour in all its manifestations. 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. #childlabor #labor #children #alliancepmb

The U.S. Department of Labor's latest reports reveal a troubling increase in illegal child labor within the United States. This highlights a critical need to ensure our supply chains are free from child labor, both domestically and globally. Acting Secretary Julie Su emphasizes using education and enforcement to hold U.S. employers accountable and to work with global partners to eradicate child and forced labor wherever it exists. https://lnkd.in/diWZ8Y3X

World Day against Child Labour (June 12) Child labour is not merely a statistic or a distant problem; it is a harsh reality that persists in various forms across different societies and industries. Whether it is in factories, mines, agriculture, domestic service, or even in the streets, children are subjected to hazardous conditions, long hours, and meager wages, all of which compromise their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. The impact of child labour is profound and far-reaching. It undermines their health, safety, and overall well-being. These children are denied the chance to reach their full potential. On this World Day against Child Labour (June 12), we should reflect on this year’s theme; Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour! Let us stand in solidarity with the millions of children who are still trapped in the cycle of exploitation and work tirelessly to create a world where their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their futures are filled with hope and possibility.

The importance of preventing child labour in supply chains from my work with the UN Global Compact Network UK and Alcumus SafeContractor: ⭕Global Prevalence: According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 152 million children worldwide are engaged in child labour, with nearly half of them (72.5 million) involved in hazardous work. This underscores the widespread nature of the issue and its impact on millions of children's lives. ⭕Economic Impact: UNICEF estimates that child labour accounts for up to 20% of household income in some low-income countries. While families may see child labour as a means of survival, it perpetuates cycles of poverty and deprives children of education and opportunities for a better future. ⭕Sectoral Analysis: The ILO reports that child labour is prevalent in various sectors, including agriculture (71%), services (17%), and industry (12%). These statistics highlight the diverse industries where child labour occurs and the need for sector-specific interventions to address the problem effectively. ⭕Supply Chain Vulnerability: A study by the International Cocoa Initiative found that over 1.56 million children in West Africa are involved in cocoa production, with many of them engaged in hazardous work. The cocoa industry's complex supply chains make it challenging to trace the origin of products and ensure child labour-free sourcing. Tony's Chocolonely are leading the change in transparency. ⭕Consumer Awareness: A survey by Cone Communications, 87% of consumers are willing to purchase products from companies that advocate for social and environmental issues. This indicates that consumers are increasingly conscious of ethical considerations, including child labour, and expect companies to uphold responsible business practices. ⭕Legal and Regulatory Framework: The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights outline the responsibility of companies to respect human rights throughout their operations and supply chains. Failure to address child labour risks can lead to legal consequences, fines, and sanctions. Boohoo was fined £45 million for failing to prevent the use of modern slavery in its supply chain, including child labour. ⭕Corporate Responses: In response to growing scrutiny and public pressure, many companies have adopted policies and initiatives to combat child labor in their supply chains. For example, the Alcumus SafeContractor standard assesses companies' efforts to address human rights issues, including child labour, in their supply chains by seeking evidence of statements and human rights information. These statistics underscore the urgency of preventing child labour in supply chains and the need for concerted efforts from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and consumers to address this complex and pervasive issue. https://lnkd.in/gvWF3bXp

Did you know that over 152 million children are involved in child labour today? 🚸   Despite common misconceptions that child labour is a thing of the past this issue remains a significant global challenge, and the statistics, although very harrowing, prove it is still very much prominent to this day.  World Day Against Child Labour serves as a crucial reminder of the millions of children who are still subjected to this hardship around the world 🌎   For more information and resources, follow the link in the comments ⬇

World Day Against Child Labour, on June 12, 2024, focuses on the theme “Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!” This day celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999, No. 182). It also urges everyone to improve the implementation of two key Conventions on child labour: Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment. Children should experience childhood in an environment where their wellbeing and development is prioritised and taken care of. They must not be compelled to perform manual labour to make a living since they are prone to physical and emotional exploitation. Sadly, the majority of poor nations are plagued by child labour and abuse. “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” – Rabindranath Tagore. “You can’t regulate child labour. You can’t regulate slavery. Some things are just wrong.” – Michael Moore. “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Preventing Child Labor in Supply Chains: A Guide for Businesses

Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour, affecting nearly one in ten children globally.    Through the Harvesting Labour Rights project, in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, we’re working alongside government authorities, employers, and agricultural workers to address labour issues.    Our multifaceted efforts focus on marginalized groups such as women, youth, indigenous people, and migrants in the tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and avocado farming sectors in Jalisco and Sinaloa, Mexico. We're working to enhance worker-employer relations, ensure fair treatment, improve health and safety standards, increase awareness of labour rights, strengthen labour inspections, and combat child and forced labour.   Our approach involves comprehensive training programs and awareness campaigns for both workers and companies. By promoting knowledge-sharing, fostering alliances, and providing essential tools and resources, we're facilitating a shift toward improved labour practices and relations.   We’re also collaborating closely with labour authorities to bolster their enforcement capacities and support their plans to uphold labour laws effectively. Through strategic partnerships with other government institutions, we're collectively working to prevent and eradicate child labour.   Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xboKPp