ILO Calls for Global Action Against Child Labour

Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), called for global action against child labor during the 114th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. This call coincides with the upcoming observance of the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.

Houngbo highlighted that 54 million children are engaged in hazardous work that threatens their health and safety, hindering their future opportunities. Despite significant global progress in reducing child labor, the situation remains unacceptable.

He outlined a framework aimed at promoting and expanding social protection measures and enforcing laws to eliminate all forms of child labor. The framework includes mechanisms for governments, employers, and workers to assess and ensure tangible outcomes for children.

Houngbo stressed the importance of improving access to quality education, expanding social protection coverage, creating decent jobs for adults, and strengthening labor law enforcement as critical interventions. The 2026 observance will follow the sixth global conference on eliminating child labor held in Marrakech, Morocco.