Fair Trade Fights Child Labor
According to UNICEF, 160 million children are exploited through child labor around the globe. That’s 10 percent of the world’s children. The leading cause of child labor is family poverty.
June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor. Each year this day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child laborers and what can be done to help them.
More than half of child laborers are exposed to the worst forms of child labor, working in hazardous environments and subject to slavery or forced labor. They are involved in illicit activities, drug trafficking or prostitution. Some are put to work as boy soldiers. In recent decades, the rate of child labor had been declining, but it increased during the Covid pandemic because of the increase in poverty during this time.
Fair trade organizations help reduce child labor by providing fair wages for parents that allow parents to send their children to school instead of requiring them to work. It also requires that workers on fair trade products be older than 15. And children 15-18 are not allowed to work if it jeopardizes their schooling or development.
Your fair trade purchases help children stay in school and reduce the number of child laborers.
June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor. Each year this day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child laborers and what can be done to help them.
More than half of child laborers are exposed to the worst forms of child labor, working in hazardous environments and subject to slavery or forced labor. They are involved in illicit activities, drug trafficking or prostitution. Some are put to work as boy soldiers. In recent decades, the rate of child labor had been declining, but it increased during the Covid pandemic because of the increase in poverty during this time.
Fair trade organizations help reduce child labor by providing fair wages for parents that allow parents to send their children to school instead of requiring them to work. It also requires that workers on fair trade products be older than 15. And children 15-18 are not allowed to work if it jeopardizes their schooling or development.
Your fair trade purchases help children stay in school and reduce the number of child laborers.
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