COVID-19 crisis may push millions more children into child labour putting their lives at risk which could lead to the first rise in child labour after 20 years of progress, according to a new brief from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.
According to COVID-19 and child labour: A time of crisis, a time to act, child labour decreased by 94 million since 2000, but that gain is now at risk. Children already in child labour may be working longer hours or under worsening conditions, the report says on Friday. More of them may be forced into the worst forms of labour, which causes significant harm to their health and safety. “Up until the current crises hit, Bangladesh had been making great strides in reducing child labour,” said Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh. Poutiainen said now more than ever, they must all work together to ensure these gains are not derailed by the ongoing pandemic. “This timely report sheds light on the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and provides the ILO, Government, Employers and Workers Organizations and other partners the means and the evidence on how best to respond to the current crises.”
