Millions of children are at risk of being pushed into child labour as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, which could lead to the first rise in child labour after 20 years of progress, according to ILO and UNICEF.
According to a report of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, this is 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 titled ‘COVID-19 and child labour’ said.
More of them may be forced into the worst forms of labour, which causes significant harm to their health and safety, according to a statement issued on Friday.
“As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labour,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
“Social protection is vital in times of crisis, as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable. Integrating child labour concerns across broader policies for education, social protection, justice, labour markets, and international human and labour rights makes a critical difference,” Guy Ryder said.
According to the brief, Covid-19 could result in a rise in poverty and therefore to an increase in child labour as households use every available means to survive.
Some studies show that a one percentage point rise in poverty leads to at least a 0.7 per cent increase in child labour in certain countries.
“In times of crisis, child labour becomes a coping mechanism for many families,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
“As poverty rises, schools close and the availability of social services decreases, more children are pushed into the workforce. As we re-imagine the world post-coronavirus, we need to make sure that children and their families have the tools they need to weather similar storms in the future. Quality education, social protection services and better economic opportunities can be game changers.”
Vulnerable population groups – such as those working in the informal economy and migrant workers – will suffer most from economic downturn, increased informality and unemployment, the general fall in living standards, health shocks and insufficient social protection systems, among other pressures.
“Up until the current crises hit, Bangladesh had been making great strides in reducing child labour,” said Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh.
“Now more than ever, we 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 Organisations and other partners the means and the evidence on how best to respond to the current crises.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has a particularly negative impact on the lives, hopes and future of the most vulnerable children. Closure of schools and reduction of family income expose many children to the risk of child labour and commercial sexual exploitation. Studies have shown that the longer children are out of school, the less likely they are to return. We need to prioritise education and the protection of children now and throughout the duration of the pandemic,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.
sajibur@gmail.com