COVID-19 and child labour

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has exacerbated poverty, inequality and deprivation. Among the most severely affected are children, especially those from low-income households, and those in irregular situations. The closure of schools combined with increased hardship among poor families increase the risk of child labour. A newly released joint ILO-UNICEF paper on the impact of COVID-19 on child labour looks at some of the main channels through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

This year’s event aims to:

  • Highlight the key impacts of COVID-19 to child labour globally and in Malaysia;
  • Understand the efforts and plans of the government toward achieving SDG Target 8.7 within the context of COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • Provide recommendations to the government on actions to address the child labour issue.

The event will feature speakers comprising of government, employers, workers, business, civil society and youth representatives.