Red Card” Against Child Labour: UN Stresses That Childhood Is for Learning and Play, Not Work

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said that childhood should be a time for learning, growth, and play. However, he noted that 138 million children worldwide today are being deprived not only of future opportunities but also of the experiences that every child has the right to enjoy.

His remarks came during the opening of a high-level event held at the ILO headquarters in Geneva to mark the World Day Against Child Labour. The event brought together ministers, government representatives, employers, workers’ organizations, and other stakeholders under the theme: “A Red Card to Child Labour: From Marrakech to Action.”

The event aims to explore ways to implement the commitments outlined in the Marrakech Framework for Action, which was adopted a few months ago in the Moroccan city of Marrakech during the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour.

Participants discussed practical measures to accelerate efforts to eliminate child labour and ensure that children enjoy their fundamental rights to education, protection, and healthy development, free from exploitation and hazardous work