National Conference on Child Labour in Iraq: Towards a National Strategy to Protect Children and Promote Decent Work [EN/AR] – ReliefWeb

Report on the National Conference on Child Labour in Iraq

1.0 Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On 2 November 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, convened the National Conference on Child Labour in Baghdad. This initiative, supported by the European Union’s “Building an Equal and Inclusive Transformation” (BEIT) Project, represents a significant step towards fulfilling Iraq’s international commitments and advancing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference’s primary objective was to establish a national strategy to combat child labour, directly addressing SDG Target 8.7, which calls for the elimination of child labour in all its forms. The event also underscored the interconnectedness of this goal with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2.0 Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Commitments

The conference assembled over 100 key stakeholders, demonstrating a multi-sectoral approach consistent with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Participants included representatives from:

• Government Ministries (Labour, Planning, Education, Interior, Justice)
• Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations
• Civil Society and Academia
• United Nations Agencies

Keynote speakers emphasized the need for unified action. The EU Ambassador to Iraq highlighted the goal of ensuring every child’s right to education and development, free from exploitation. Iraq’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs framed the issue as a shared responsibility, linking the fight against child labour directly to poverty alleviation (SDG 1) and the promotion of education (SDG 4). The ILO Country Representative reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the implementation of a National Roadmap, thereby strengthening institutional capacity in line with SDG 16.

3.0 Thematic Focus and Strategic Discussions

Discussions were structured around four principal areas, each contributing to a comprehensive strategy for achieving SDG Target 8.7.

1. Strengthening Social Dialogue and Partnerships: Fostering inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders to create a unified front against child labour, reflecting the principles of SDG 17.
2. Review of National Policies and Programmes: Analyzing existing policies to identify gaps and opportunities for promoting decent work for adults and social protection for families, thereby reducing economic pressures that lead to child labour (SDG 1 and SDG 8).
3. Assessment of Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Evaluating national legislation and enforcement mechanisms against ILO Conventions No. 138 and No. 182 to build a more effective and just institutional response (SDG 16).
4. Development of a National Roadmap: Initiating the drafting process for a strategic plan with defined actions, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and sustainable progress.

Parallel workshops delved deeper into these themes, producing practical recommendations on legal enforcement, socio-economic mitigation measures, and national coordination mechanisms.

4.0 Outcomes and Forward-Looking Strategy

The conference concluded with the formulation of key recommendations that will serve as the foundation for Iraq’s National Roadmap to Eliminate Child Labour. This strategic document is designed to guide national efforts toward achieving SDG Target 8.7 by 2025.

The outcomes of the conference reaffirm a collective commitment to:

• Tackle Root Causes: Address the socio-economic drivers of child labour, such as poverty and lack of access to education, contributing to SDG 1 and SDG 4.
• Promote Decent Work: Create economic opportunities for adults to reduce household reliance on child income, in line with SDG 8.
• Ensure Inclusive Education: Strengthen educational systems to provide all children with quality learning opportunities, a cornerstone of SDG 4.
• Strengthen Governance: Enhance legal frameworks and institutional capacity for the protection of children’s rights, a key component of SDG 16.

The continued partnership between the Government of Iraq, the ILO, the EU, and other stakeholders will be critical for the successful implementation of the National Roadmap and for ensuring sustainable progress towards the elimination of child labour in Iraq.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • The article’s central theme is the elimination of child labour, which is a primary focus of SDG 8. The conference aims to “address the root causes of child labour and promote decent work.” This directly aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• SDG 1: No Poverty
  • The article explicitly links child labour to poverty. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs states, “Education is the strongest weapon to fight poverty, and from this belief comes our slogan: We will not pass poverty on to our children.” The discussions also focused on supporting families to “reduce their reliance on children’s income,” highlighting the connection between poverty and child labour.
• SDG 4: Quality Education
  • The promotion of “inclusive education” is mentioned as a key strategy to combat child labour. The EU Ambassador’s remark about ensuring “every child in Iraq has the chance to learn” and the Minister’s emphasis on education as a tool against poverty directly connect the issue to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • The article discusses efforts to strengthen the “legal and institutional frameworks” and “enforcement mechanisms” related to child labour. The conference itself, aimed at developing a “National Roadmap” with “mechanisms for monitoring and accountability,” reflects the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to protect children from exploitation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • The entire event described in the article is an example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves collaboration between the Government of Iraq, the European Union (as a funder), the ILO (a UN agency), employers’ and workers’ organizations, and civil society. This partnership is aimed at achieving the common goal of eliminating child labour, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour… and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.” The article is entirely focused on this target, with the conference’s main purpose being to create a “National Strategy to Combat Child Labour” and a “National Roadmap to Eliminate Child Labour.”

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.” The article mentions that the BEIT project aims to tackle the root causes of child labour by promoting “social protection” and that discussions focused on ways to “support families and reduce their reliance on children’s income,” which aligns with implementing social protection systems.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education…” The article’s emphasis on “inclusive education” and ensuring every child “has the chance to learn” as an alternative to labour directly supports the objective of universal access to education.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The core mission to “combat child labour” and free children from “exploitation” is a direct contribution to this target.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships…” The conference itself is a manifestation of this target, bringing together “over 100 representatives from the Ministries… employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, academia, and UN agencies,” all funded by the European Union and supported by the ILO.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Indicator 8.7.1: “Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age group.” This indicator is implied when the Deputy Minister of Labour notes that “the rate of child labour in the Kurdistan Region is lower than in other parts of the country,” suggesting that data on the prevalence of child labour is being collected and used as a measure of the problem. The creation of a roadmap with “monitoring” mechanisms also implies the need for such quantitative data.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Indicator 1.3.1: “Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems…” While not explicitly stated with numbers, the article’s focus on promoting “social protection” to “support families and reduce their reliance on children’s income” implies that the expansion and effectiveness of social protection programs would be a key measure of progress.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The development of a “National Roadmap that defines strategic actions, responsibilities, timelines, and mechanisms for monitoring and accountability” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress towards building stronger institutions. The review of “national policies and legislation” and “enforcement mechanisms” are also process indicators for strengthening the institutional framework against child exploitation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: reliefweb.int