ILO, Ibero-American Partner to Expand Youth Employment and Eliminate Child Labour

During the discussions, Félix Peinado, Director of the ILO Office for Spain, highlighted the progress achieved in reducing child labour across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reinforced its cooperation with governments and regional partners across Ibero-America to promote decent work opportunities for young people and intensify efforts to eliminate child labour throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal.

The renewed commitment emerged during two major ministerial meetings held in Zamora, Spain, where representatives from 22 countries gathered to discuss the growing social and economic challenges facing children, adolescents, and youth across the region.

The discussions formed part of preparations for the upcoming 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government and focused on building more inclusive labour markets, improving education-to-employment transitions, strengthening social protection systems, and expanding opportunities for the region's young population.

Major Ministerial Meetings Held in Spain

The ILO participated in:

• The 13th Ibero-American Ministerial Meeting on Children and Adolescents

• The 20th Ibero-American Ministerial Meeting on Youth

Both meetings were held in Zamora, Spain, bringing together ministers, policymakers, and regional organizations from across the Ibero-American community.

Representatives from 22 member countries discussed a broad range of shared concerns affecting young people and vulnerable populations, including:

• Youth unemployment

• Child labour

• Social exclusion

• Educational access

• Skills development

• Social protection

• Digital safety

• Labour market transitions

The meetings emphasized the growing need for coordinated regional responses to address persistent inequalities and improve opportunities for younger generations.

ILO Highlights Progress Against Child Labour

During the discussions, Félix Peinado, Director of the ILO Office for Spain, highlighted the progress achieved in reducing child labour across Latin America and the Caribbean.

He pointed to the important role played by:

• National governments

• Regional cooperation mechanisms

• International partnerships

• The Regional Initiative for a Latin America and Caribbean Free of Child Labour

The Regional Initiative has been supported in part through Spanish international cooperation programmes.

Over recent years, many countries in the region have made advances in reducing child labour through stronger legislation, education programmes, poverty reduction measures, and labour inspections.

However, the ILO warned that important challenges remain.

Millions of Young People Still Face Employment Challenges

Peinado stressed that while progress has been made in tackling child labour, many young people across the region continue to struggle with:

• Unemployment

• Informal employment

• Low wages

• Limited social protection

• Difficult transitions from education to work

The ILO emphasized the importance of ensuring that young people have access not only to employment opportunities, but to decent work with fair conditions, legal protections, and opportunities for advancement.

The organization warned that without inclusive labour market policies, many young people remain vulnerable to poverty, precarious work, and social exclusion.

Focus on Education, Skills and Inclusion

The ministerial discussions placed strong emphasis on strengthening pathways between education systems and labour markets.

Participants explored ways to improve:

• Technical and vocational training

• Skills development

• Educational mobility

• Youth participation

• Digital literacy

• Access to safe digital environments

Educational mobility within the Ibero-American region was also discussed as a way to expand opportunities and strengthen regional integration.

The growing role of digital technologies in education, employment, and social participation was another key topic.

Officials stressed the need to create safer and more inclusive digital spaces for children and young people while ensuring equal access to technological opportunities.

Zamora Declaration Reaffirms Youth Commitments

A major outcome of the meetings was the adoption of the Zamora Declaration during the ministerial meeting on youth.

The declaration reaffirms the commitment of participating states to:

• Promote youth empowerment

• Expand access to formal employment

• Improve working conditions

• Increase education and training opportunities

• Support social inclusion policies

The declaration reflects a shared regional commitment to improving opportunities for younger generations while addressing structural inequalities that continue to affect many communities.

ILO Strengthens Partnership With International Youth Organization

Alongside the ministerial meetings, the ILO also held discussions with the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America (OIJ) at its headquarters in Madrid.

The meetings explored opportunities for closer collaboration between the two organizations in areas such as:

• Youth employment

• Social inclusion

• Public policy development

• Skills and training programmes

• Decent work promotion

Both organizations identified common priorities aimed at expanding opportunities for the approximately 170 million young people living across the Ibero-American region.

Decent Work Central to Sustainable Development

The ILO said its engagement in the regional meetings reflects its broader commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The organization emphasized that promoting:

• Labour rights

• Equal opportunities

• Social inclusion

• Decent work

remains essential for building more sustainable and inclusive societies.

The ILO continues to advocate for labour policies that support vulnerable populations while addressing structural issues such as inequality, informality, and unemployment.

Child Labour and Youth Employment Remain Key Regional Challenges

Despite progress in recent decades, child labour and youth unemployment continue to pose significant challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Economic instability, poverty, inequality, migration pressures, and limited access to quality education have contributed to ongoing vulnerabilities for millions of children and young people.

The COVID-19 pandemic also intensified labour market difficulties for younger generations, particularly in sectors heavily affected by economic disruption.

International organizations warn that continued investment in education, social protection, and decent employment opportunities will be critical to preventing long-term social and economic setbacks.

Regional Cooperation Seen as Essential

Participants at the Zamora meetings stressed that regional cooperation remains vital for addressing shared challenges affecting children and youth.

Governments and international institutions increasingly view coordinated action as necessary to:

• Reduce child labour

• Expand decent employment

• Improve social mobility

• Strengthen labour protections

• Promote inclusive economic growth

The ILO said continued collaboration with governments, youth organizations, and regional partners will remain central to advancing social justice and sustainable development across Ibero-America.