Child labour in Myanmar

  • Aye Aye Khine, Ping Non / PhotoDoc
In Myanmar, school is mandatory until 14 and - as per the Child Rights Law - no child under 14 years is legally permitted to work. Hazardous work is also prohibited for anyone under 18-years-old.

Yet data indicates that one in every 11 children in Myanmar is trapped in child labour – deprived of their childhood, health and education.

Progress is being made. Myanmar has now ratified both International Conventions on child labour, and the ILO’s on-the-ground projects have reduced child labour by 55 per cent over three years in three pilot areas.

We are working with partners at every level — from the village to the global stage — to boost compliance with international standards, strengthen capacity, implement local initiatives and advocate for change.

Together, we can eliminate child labour in Myanmar.
  1. 2021: A year of action

    The UN has urged the international community to step up efforts to eradicate child labour, and declared 2021 as the Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.

  2. Our programme

    The ILO is working with the support of the United States, Japan  and the United Kingdom  to tackle child labour by increasing awareness, improving legislation, strengthening capacity, addressing the worst forms of child labour, and focusing on the agricultural sector.

  3. Myanmar milestones

    Read more  about the major steps to eliminate child labour in Myanmar so far, including passing the Child Rights Law and the landmark ratification of both ILO Conventions to protect children.

  4. Our COVID-19 response

    Protecting Myanmar’s children is more important now than ever.  Find out more about our response to the pandemic.

In their own words

The ILO has partnered with PhotoDoc to train young people and emerging journalists in documentary skills, enabling them to tell the stories of child labourers in Myanmar – their struggles, as well as their strength and dreams. Watch the short videos below for firsthand insight into the issues.