World Day Against Child Labour 2022

"Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour"


12 June marks the World Day Against Child Labour under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.” On this day, the ILO, together with its constituents and partners, is calling for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour.

Social protection is both a human right and a potent policy tool to prevent families from resorting to child labour in times of crisis. However, as of 2020 and before the COVID-19 crisis took hold, only 46.9 per cent of the global population were effectively covered by at least one social protection benefit. Coverage for children is even lower. Nearly three quarters of children, 1.5 billion, lacked social protection.

For more information on social protection and child labour see the report: The role of social protection in the elimination of child labour: Evidence review and policy implications.

The 2022 World Day Against Child Labour takes place shortly after the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour. Ensuring universal access to social protection is an integral part of the “Durban Call to Action”, adopted during the Conference, and essential to help construct a path towards a world free of child labour, as called for under SDG Target 8.7, and towards universal social protection, as reflected in SDG Target 1.3

Highlights

  1. Friday 3 June, 15:30-16:45 (CEST)

    High-level Discussion on Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour

    High-level event organized by the ILO during the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference, with the support of Alliance 8.7 and the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection.

  2. World Day Against Child Labour 2022

    Fight against child labour is at a crossroads

    In his statement for World Day Against Child Labour 2022, International Labour Organization Director-General, Guy Ryder, warns the choices made by governments now will make or break the lives of millions of children. He says social protection is one of the most powerful measures to prevent child labour, providing families with income security in difficult times.

  3. Laura Pausini calls for increased investments in social protection

    With almost one child in every ten is still in child labour, award-winning artist Laura Pausini joins the International Labour Organization on World Day Against Child Labour in calling for increased investments in social protection systems, to help end child labour once and for all.

World Day activities around the world

  1. World Day activities around the world

    Week of Action against Child Labour, 3-12 June 2022

    This year’s World Day Against Child Labour will be celebrated with a “Week of Action against Child Labour”, marked from 3-12 June 2022. Throughout this special week, events and activities around the world will provide an opportunity to showcase progress on the elimination of child labour.

    Check the activities taking place in your country!