‘Covid-19 May Push Millions of Children into Child Labor’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Today is June 12 World Day Against Child Labor. On this occasion, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and International Labor Organization (ILO) have prepared a joint report and warned that millions more children risk being pushed into labor as a result of COVID-19 crisis.

According to the joint report entitled "COVID-19 and child labor: A time of crisis, a time to act", child labor has decreased by 94 million since 2000; however, that gain is now at risk, especially amid pandemic.

Children already in child labor may be working longer hours or under worsening conditions, the report says. More of them may be forced into the worst forms of labor, which causes significant harm to their health and safety.

'Many families could resort to child labor'

"As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labor," ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has warned:

"Social protection is vital in times of crisis, as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable. Integrating child labor concerns across broader policies for education, social protection, justice, labor markets, and international human and labor rights makes a critical difference."

'Child labor could become a coping mechanism'

According to the report, COVID-19 could result in a rise in poverty and therefore to an increase in child labor as households use every available means to survive. As also indicated by the report, there are some studies showing that a one percentage point rise in poverty leads to at least a 0.7 per cent increase in child labor in certain countries.

"In times of crisis, child labor becomes a coping mechanism for many families," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has also indicated about the issue and continued as follows:

"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-COVID, 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."

'Child labor is rising as schools close'

Referring to the risks in that regard, the statement has warned, "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.

"Evidence is gradually mounting that child labor is rising as schools close during the pandemic. Temporary school closures are currently affecting more than 1 billion learners in over 130 countries.

"Even when classes restart, some parents may no longer be able to afford to send their children to school.

"As a result, more children could be forced into exploitative and hazardous jobs. Gender inequalities may grow more acute, with girls particularly vulnerable to exploitation in agriculture and domestic work, the brief says." (AÖ/SD)