Increasing number of children are at risk with global child labour figures expanding by 8.4 million within the last four years, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) warned.

A report on child labour that was launched earlier today by the international agency highlighted that the progress to end this exploitation has stalled for the first time in 20 years, reversing the previous downward trend that saw child labour fall by 94 million between 2000 and 2016.

With the number of children in child labour having risen to 160 million worldwide, the report pointed out a significant increase was observed in the 5 – 11 age group.

“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.

She added that while inclusive social protection allows families to keep their children in school even in the face of economic hardship, increased investment in rural development and decent work in agriculture is essential.

“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 labour,” she stressed.

Furthermore, the ILO stressed that millions more children are at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19.
In regions such as Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, where there has been some headway since 2016, the pandemic is observed to be endangering the progress achieved thus far.

The ILO asserted that nine million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic.

A simulation model shows this number could rise to 46 million if they don’t have access to critical social protection coverage.