12 June 2015: Child labour combined with limited education can contribute to increased youth vulnerability and challenges in transitioning to good jobs, according to the ‘World Report on Child Labour 2015: Paving the way to decent work for young people.’ The International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report on the World Day Against Child Labour, which took place under the theme ‘NO to Child labour – YES to education.’

The report presents the status of child labour based on an ILO survey programme that analyzed the work trajectories of youth in 28 low and middle-income countries around the world. The report highlights links between child labour and good youth employment outcomes within the context of the post-2015 development agenda. It provides evidence that involvement in child labour is associated with lower educational attainment and lower-paid work, contributing to limited future prospects for securing decent work. The report also addresses hazardous work among 15 and 17 year olds, an age bracket that straddles child labour and youth employment.

Eliminating child labour is necessary for achieving decent work for all, according to the report’s conclusions. It emphasizes that the challenge of finding decent work for youth is linked to the challenge of eliminating child labour early in the life cycle. The report calls for: common policy approaches to address child labour and youth unemployment as part of broader efforts to ensure decent work for all in the post-2015 agenda; and early interventions to get children out of labour and into school.

“A future without child labour calls for inclusive development policies integrating decent work for adults, social protection floors and sound education systems,” ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said. He also stressed the importance of political will and determination at all levels of development to set priorities, make policy choices and take integrated action to secure sustainable and significant change, including as part of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Day was recognized at events in 55 countries around the world, including during a panel discussion at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, which discussed ILO’s Forced Labour Protocol. Thai rock stars collaborated with ILO to produce a Thai version of the song, ‘Til Everyone Can See’ as part of efforts to raise awareness on child labour through music. [ILO Press Release] [Publication: World Report on Child Labour 2015: Paving the Way to Decent Work for Young People] [UNRIC Press Release] [Report Website] [ILO Feature Story] [World Day Against Child Labour Events] [World Day Against Child Labour]