ILO Calls for Decisive Action to End Child Labour in Myanmar

An ILO study in selected states of Myanmar indicates a rise in child labour, driven partly by parents preferring their children to work to avoid conscription.

On June 12, World Day Against Child Labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Myanmar has urgently called for all stakeholders to fulfill their commitments and take decisive action to end child labour. This call marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), a significant milestone in the fight against child labour, universally ratified in 2013.

Despite global efforts, child labour remains a critical issue, with an estimated 160 million children engaged in child labour worldwide, 79 million of whom are involved in hazardous work. In Myanmar, the situation is particularly dire. According to UN reports, 40 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, and over three million people are internally displaced, one third of whom are children. The 2010 People's Military Service Law, implemented earlier this year, has further exacerbated the crisis, causing many to flee conscription.

An ILO study in selected states of Myanmar indicates a rise in child labour, driven partly by parents preferring their children to work to avoid conscription. This aligns with the ILO's 2022 report on Vulnerabilities in Child Labour, which found that child labour rates in conflict-affected countries are 77 percent higher than global averages.

"We remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation and escalation of the conflict in Myanmar," said Yutong Liu, ILO Myanmar Liaison Officer/Representative. "More children are living in poverty, facing movement restrictions, or displacement, making them increasingly vulnerable to child labour. Children should not be victims of conflicts in any form. Instead, they must be protected and allowed to continue to be a beacon of hope for the future of the country. On this World Day Against Child Labour, it is crucial for all stakeholders to honour their commitments to Convention No. 182 and intensify efforts to combat child labour," Mr. Liu added.

The ILO continues to monitor the situation of children in Myanmar and supports partners in tackling child labour through community-based child labour monitoring, awareness raising, and skills and livelihood support in the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions, Shan and Mon states.

World Day Against Child Labour Activities in Myanmar

To mark World Day Against Child Labour, ILO Myanmar is launching a three-month campaign starting June 1, 2024. This campaign will engage social partners, civil society organizations, and development partners in training and awareness-raising activities across Myanmar and on social media platforms. The campaign aims to increase awareness of child labour issues and mobilize collective action to protect children and eliminate child labour in Myanmar.

By addressing the root causes of child labour, providing support and education, and strengthening protections, the ILO and its partners strive to create a future where no child is forced to work and every child can realize their full potential.