World Day Against Child Labour being observed across the country

KATHMANDU: The World Day Against Child Labour is being observed across the country today with programmes organised by various agencies and stakeholders to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to end child labour.

The United Nations said the day, observed every year on June 12, brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, businesses, civil society, communities and individuals to intensify action against child labour. "The 2026 World Day comes at a decisive moment, following the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakech, which reaffirmed the need to accelerate progress and turn commitments into concrete results," the UN statement said.

The UN added that the Marrakech conference underlined the urgent need to speed up action and turn commitments into concrete results. "The Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour provides a concrete roadmap and indicators for tackling child labour through integrated responses that address root causes and protect every child’s rights," the statement said.

This year’s theme is 'Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults'. The International Labour Organization (ILO) said the campaign calls for stronger measures on quality education, social protection, decent work, tougher laws and enforcement, and other steps that address the underlying causes of child labour.

Global estimates show about 138 million children remain in child labour worldwide, including nearly 54 million in hazardous work. 

(With inputs from RSS)