The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years – with millions more at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

The report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labour, who now account for just over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work – defined as work that is likely to harm their health, safety or morals – has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016.

“The new estimates are a wake-up call. We cannot stand by while a new generation of children is put at risk,” says Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General.

ILO and UNICEF urge governments and international development banks to prioritize investments in programmes that can get children out of the workforce and back into school, and in social protection programmes that can help families avoid making this choice in the first place. WNCB supports this call and also urges immediate action: now is the time to act.

The problem of child labour is complex. We have to work together on all levels, and take responsibility. We therefore urgently appeal to governments and companies to take this responsibility. To set relevant policies and legislation regarding child labour and to find solutions for eliminating child labour in supply chains.

If we all take our responsibility and work together, we will strengthen and speed up efforts towards a child labour free world.