6 examples of a multi-stakeholder approach to ending child labour
Global organizations are working with the private sector to eradicate child labour from supply chains; here’s how
We’re highlighting some of the 2021 Action Pledges we’ve received. Get inspired by these short stories about how governments, UN agencies, NGOs, universities, organizations, tripartite partners, and many more are joining the global movement for children.
How can multi stakeholder groups end child labour?
According to the 2021 Global Estimates on Child Labour, the problem is more common in small, informal enterprises that operate at the lower tiers of supply chains. More than one in four children aged 5 to 11 and nearly half of children aged 12 to 14 in family-based child labour (primarily on family farms or in family microenterprises) are involved in work that is likely to harm their health, safety, or morals.
Families that depend on their children’s labour need more support from the international community.
International cooperation and partnerships can help overcome this global challenge. We must promote adequate rural livelihoods and resilience. This may look like economic diversification, improved infrastructure and other basic services, extended social protection, and more.
Here’s what some of our pledge makers are doing:
Fiji Commerce & Employers’ Federation
The Fiji Commerce & Employers’ Federation is an employers’ organization based in Suva.
Their 2021 Action Pledge aims to improve responsible business conduct and eliminate child labour in the country’s business practices. The Federation will set up a committee to support training and awareness raising programmes for businesses, specifically targeting the informal sector.
“A report on the seminars/training will be compiled and shared with partners. We will also contribute the message to share stories and articles through the local newspaper.”
Throughout the year, the Federation will promote relevant events on its website and social media channels.
United Nations Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is an UN organization based in the United States.
Their 2021 Action Pledge aims to renew and expand their efforts toward eradicating child labour. They are mobilizing UNGC participants to step up due diligence and take collective action.
“There is a wide gap between business aspiration and business action in this area of corporate accountability for human rights. Making a real impact will require adopting a holistic approach and collaborating with all stakeholders.”
The organization organized a session during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit to help companies learn and get inspired. In addition, UNGC will launch an e-learning tool on business and human rights to give further guidance to companies.
The Centre for Child Rights and Business
The Centre for Child Rights and Business is an organization based in Hong Kong.
Their 2021 Action Pledge is centered around working with pledge partners on the elimination of child labour. Collectively, they will focus on extending due diligence, remediation, and monitoring activities to increase understanding of child labour in supply chains. They will also deliver programmes to create decent work opportunities for young people, and build up companies’ capabilities to address child labour risks, among other initiatives.
“The Centre and its Joint Pledge Partners will work together as a group towards common objectives to further scale efforts to address child labour during 2021, sharing learnings and exchanging best practice to overcome obstacles and to help facilitate effective implementation of our joint actions to address child labour.”
Throughout the year, the organization together with its partners will deliver training sessions, review supply chains, create family-friendly workplaces, and much more.
UNICEF Turkey Country Office
The UNICEF Turkey Country Office is a UN organization based in Ankara.
Their 2021 Action Pledge aims to strengthen several national and local organizations targeting child labour and providing services for vulnerable children and families. The plan is to reach more than 500,000 refugee children through conditional cash transfers for education, as well as 10,000 children with community-based child protection support.
“Drawing on its global and national experience in social policy, child protection, education and health, and its long-standing partnerships with key public, private and non-governmental organizations, UNICEF Turkey will continue implementing a multi-sectoral programme on combatting child labour.”
Throughout the year, the organization will report on the effect of COVID-19 on working conditions in Turkey, as well as make recommendations for the private sector and public institutions to support child-sensitive business practices.
World Vision International
World Vision International is an organization based in the United Kingdom.
Their 2021 Action Pledge aims to sustain and increase its programming and advocacy actions to end child labour, including its worst forms. The plan is to focus on programmatic interventions that include multiple stakeholders in nine countries. In addition, the organization will advocate for improved labour laws and standards and encourage further spending by governments on foreign assistance programmes.
“Through our programmatic implementation and advocacy efforts, we hope to further our comprehensive abilities to bring multiple stakeholders to the table (private companies, government entities, and civil society groups) to eradicate child labor.”
Throughout the year, the organization will bring multiple stakeholders to the table, including private companies, government entities, and civil society groups, to eradicate child labour.
Global March Against Child Labour
The Global March Against Child Labour is an organization that works globally across regions with offices based in India and the Netherlands.
Their 2021 Action Pledge aims to reinvigorate the fight against child labour by bringing together experts and youth advocates for multi-stakeholder action, especially in Africa. The plan includes peer exchange and learning through events, forums, and other activities.
“The main idea is to bring together and convene civil society experts for peer learning exchanges for innovative and holistic solutions and multi-stakeholder actions on child labour.”
Throughout the year, the organization will facilitate the participation of youth in events around child labour. It will also oragnize a virtual march against child labour to mobilize political will and action ahead of the 5th Global Conference on Child Labour in 2022.