International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) Branch

On this World Day we call for: Action to introduce, improve and extend social protection, as a key element in national strategies to tackle child labour National social security systems that are sensitive to children’s needs and help tackle child labour Social protection that reaches out to especially vulnerable groups of children

Accelerating the pace of progress 168 million children are in child labour, 85 million of which are in hazardous work Progress in tackling child labour is still too slow Accelerating the pace of progress requires action to address the root causes – social protection is a key part of the response

Why it is important Poverty and economic shocks can drive children to work Poor households are more likely to have to resort to child labour to deal with economic uncertainty Any sudden reduction in household incomes can cause children to drop out of school and go to work

We know it works…. Brazil’s Bolsa Fam ília programme, which links cash benefits to school attendance and with after- school programmes, has played a key role in reducing child labour South Africa’s Child Support Grant has had significant impacts on children’s education, nutrition and physical development In Indonesia and elsewhere programmes targeting poor families have boosted school enrolment and attendance

Social protection instruments Social protection instruments which are most helpful in combating child labour include: Cash and in-kind transfer programmes that enhance income security for families, can prevent child labour and promote enrolment of children into schools Unemployment protection – reduces the need to rely on income of children when adults face job loss Health care protection– stops families sending children to work when breadwinner falls ill or when health costs hit family incomes

Social protection instruments Income security in old age – economic security of the entire household helps ensure children go to school and not to work Public employment programmes – keep adults in work and earning and children out of child labour. They also assist local community development-schools, roads, health centres Maternity benefits – help avoid older children having to replace a mother’s income Disability benefits – help prevent households from resorting to child labour

ILO World Social Protection Report “Social protection policies are an essential element of realizing children’s rights…breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and vulnerability” “Social protection..has a key role in preventing child labour by reducing economic vulnerability of families, enabling children to go to school and protecting them from exploitation.”

Among the Reports findings…. More than 70% of world population do not have access to adequate social protection Wide variations in % of GDP allocated to child and family benefits, average of 0.4 % Only 12% of unemployed workers receive unemployment benefits

Among the Reports findings…. Only 28% of women in employment are protected through maternity benefits Only 48% of those eligible receive a pension About 40% of total health expenditure is directly shouldered by the sick

Join us on 12 June! Support for the World Day has been growing each year Join us and add your voice to the worldwide movement against child labour

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