06/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2026 08:59
Video
Nearly 138 million children are still in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work. In this message, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), calls for urgent action to change this reality.
8 June 2026
12 June 2026
World Day Against Child Labour
He points to a global push to speed up progress through decent work, education, social protection, and stronger laws. This year's theme, "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults," is a reminder that every child deserves to learn, play, and grow up safe.
Today, nearly 138 million children remain in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work.
This is unacceptable - we must accelerate action.
The Marrakech Global Framework against Child Labour gives us a roadmap grounded in decent work for parents, universal quality education, social protection and stronger laws and institutions.
For the first time, it includes clear indicators of progress and a built-in accountability mechanism to track implementation and to keep child labour high on the global agenda beyond 2030.
This year's theme - "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults" - reminds us that every child has the right to learn, to play and to grow up protected and safe.
Together, let us act with urgency and determination to end child labour.