ILO urges focus on preventing child labor before it starts

The fight against child labor must prioritize prevention over elimination, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Maria Cabrera, an ILO Labour Standards Specialist, stated that the traditional approach of rescuing children after they have entered exploitative situations is ineffective. She emphasized that governments, communities, and families must collaborate to shield children from such risks.

Cabrera identified quality education as the most critical preventive measure. She stressed the need for children, especially in remote areas, to access trained teachers, adequate infrastructure, and meaningful learning opportunities. The increasing exposure of children to social media also presents new risks that require public discussion, a shift from past taboos surrounding the topic of child labor and exploitation.

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For many years, the ILO spoke about the elimination and eradication of child labour. While that remains important, the approach we are now promoting is prevention.

Preventing child labor requires a collective effort involving families, religious institutions, schools, and civil society organizations. Cabrera commended Fiji for its commitment to ending child labor by ratifying key international conventions and joining Alliance 8.7, a global partnership focused on eradicating child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. She also encouraged students to speak out if they witness children in harmful situations, framing prevention as a shared societal responsibility.

The theme for this year's World Day Against Child Labour, "Red card to child labour, fair play for children and decent work for adults," underscores the global call for action. The ILO's push for prevention signals a strategic shift, aiming to create a protective environment for children before they are exposed to the harsh realities of exploitative labor.

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Many years ago, talking about child labour and exploitation was taboo. Today, we cannot avoid these conversations, especially as children are increasingly exposed to social media from a very young age.