EU, FAO and ILO unite to end child labour in agriculture

To mark the World Day against Child Labour, the EU, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have joined forces in the conference ‘United to end child labour in agriculture’, in Brussels.

It is estimated that there are 152 million child labourers worldwide, more than half of whom are engaged in the worst forms of child labour. Africa has the highest absolute number of child labourers with 72 million, followed by Asia with 62 million.

The conference, which took place at the Residence Palace in Brussels, focused on a sector of particular concern – agriculture. Worldwide, 71% of child labourers work in the agriculture sector – meaning over 108 million boys and girls. Moreover, whilst the latest 2016 ILO Global Estimates suggest that child labour globally has moderately declined, there has been an increase of 10 million children in child labour in agriculture since the previous estimates from 2012.

The conference brought together not only the EU, FAO and ILO but also a wide range of other partners, from NGOs and partner countries through to the private sector and fair trade organisations.

Attendees reflected on progress and best practices in tackling child labour as well as the challenges and opportunities that remain.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 12 June 2019