The ILO, the private sector, and the fight against child labour

Child carrying rice straw, Cambodia
It can be challenging to eliminate child labour when sourcing internationally. The existence of child labour in supply chains is against the principles companies wish to adhere to, but help may be needed to achieve this in reality.

The ILO has multiple methods through which to tackle child labour and is already engaged with a number of enterprises across a variety of sectors, including cocoa, hazelnut, and tobacco.

In addition to the facilitation of peer-to-peer best practice and knowledge sharing, through the Child Labour Platform, the ILO supports the development of Child Labour Monitoring systems, helps vulnerable communities to become economically empowered, promotes equal access to quality education for children in vulnerable communities, conducts research, develops practical tools based on on-the-ground realities, and trains company staff on the importance of child labour standards.

Highlights

  1. ILO – Ferrero partnership aims to eliminate child labour in hazelnut harvesting in Turkey

    20 November 2020

  2. ILO and Japan Tobacco International step up joint work to promote fundamental labour rights in the tobacco supply chain

    29 September 2015

  3. ECLT Foundation and ILO sign agreement to combat child labour in tobacco

    26 May 2015

  4. Stora Enso and ILO sign unique partnership to promote decent work and combat child labour

    22 April 2015

  5. Child Labour Platform (CLP)

    19 March 2015

Fact sheets

  1. Eliminating Child Labour and promoting Decent Work in the Stora Enso value chain: Public-Private Partnership
  2. Reducing the worst forms of child labour in tobacco-growing communities in Brazil, Malawi and Zambia: Public-Private Partnership
  3. Eliminating the worst forms of child labour in Turkish seasonal harvesting: Public-Private Partnership
  4. World Organization of the Scout Movement combats Child Labour: Public-Private Partnership
  5. A protective environment for children in Côte d'Ivoire cocoa-growing communities: Public-Private Partnership
  6. Partnership to combat Child Labour in the chocolate and cocoa industry: Public-Private Partnership
  7. Supporting the elimination of child labour in Malawi agriculture: Public-Private Partnership
  8. Child Labour Platform (CLP) and the Global Compact: Public-Private Partnership
  9. Technical cooperation activities to Combat Child Labour in Portuguese Speaking Countries in Africa, Brazil and Timor-Leste (CPLP): Public-Private Partnership
  10. Latin American Network to Combat Child Labour: Public-Private Partnership