ILO Warns 138 Million Children Still Engaged in Child Labor Worldwide
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced on World Day Against Child Labour that despite some progress, 138 million children globally are still engaged in child labor, deprived of education, health, and growth opportunities. The organization has called on governments and responsible institutions to take urgent and practical measures to end this phenomenon.
According to a statement released today, Wednesday, by the United Nations, the theme for 2026 is “Red Card to Child Labour; Fair Play for Children and Decent Work for Adults.” This slogan emphasizes the necessity of creating fair opportunities for children and ensuring decent work for adults.
The ILO reports that the sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour took place in Marrakech, where participants stressed accelerating actions and turning commitments into tangible results. The “Marrakech Global Framework for Action Against Child Labour” was also introduced as a clear roadmap to combat this issue.
The 2026 campaign focuses on quality education, universal social protection, provision of decent work and adequate income for adults, effective law enforcement, improving monitoring and data collection systems, and increasing accountability in agriculture and supply chains.
The ILO has urged governments, employers, and citizens to raise the “red card” against child labor to implement accepted commitments and bring about real change in the lives of children and families.
Simultaneously, the United Nations country team in Afghanistan has labeled child labor as a “red line” and stressed the urgent need for serious action to combat it. In Afghanistan, widespread poverty and educational restrictions, especially following the Taliban’s rule, have heightened concerns about the increase in child labor and underscored the need for specific and accountable measures.
