Overview
- On Saturday, June 12, the ILO and UNICEF estimate that about 138 million children were in child labour worldwide as of 2024, including roughly 54 million in hazardous work that endangers their health and development.
- Buenos Aires authorities raided a clandestine textile workshop in Parque Chas that had operated for years and rescued 17 exploited minors who were closed out of school and later reconnected with education and social services.
- Mexico’s national survey ENTI shows very high adolescent labour participation with about 49% of 15–17-year-olds working and many minors doing prohibited or hazardous tasks that limit schooling and risk injury.
- Child-protection groups warned on World Day that social media, videogames and digital platforms are new channels for recruiters and exploiters who groom minors, obtain images or money, and push unpaid or risky work.
- Policy leaders at OIT events and union and NGO spokespeople urged combined measures focused on quality education, universal social protection and decent adult jobs to prevent reliance on child labour and speed up progress.