No Excuse for Child Labour: What the Commonwealth must do next – International Trade Union Confederation

Report on the Commonwealth Webinar: Eradicating Child Labour in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Context

A webinar titled “No Excuse for Child Labour: What the Commonwealth Must Do Next” was convened on 23 September 2025. The event was a collaborative initiative by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG), and the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, with support from ILO ACTRAV. The primary focus was to galvanize action within the Commonwealth to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate and effective eradication of child labour in all its forms by 2025.

Core Objectives and Alignment with the 2030 Agenda

The webinar’s objectives were intrinsically linked to the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The specific aims were:

1. To raise awareness among Commonwealth stakeholders about the urgent action required to meet SDG Target 8.7.
2. To examine how emerging drivers, such as climate change (SDG 13: Climate Action) and economic shocks, exacerbate child exploitation, undermining progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
3. To advocate for the universal ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions 138 and 182, which provide the legal framework for achieving SDG 8.7 and strengthening institutions as per SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Panelist Contributions: A Multi-faceted Approach to Achieving SDG 8.7

Sneh Aurora: Upholding Commonwealth Commitments to Child Rights

Sneh Aurora highlighted the significant gap in achieving SDG Target 8.7, noting that nearly one in ten children globally was engaged in labour in 2024. She stressed that inconsistent implementation of international conventions undermines SDG 16. Aurora directly linked the climate emergency (SDG 13) to rising child labour, as it drives poverty (SDG 1) and disrupts education (SDG 4), forcing children into exploitative work. She framed the webinar as a platform for strengthening partnerships (SDG 17) among Commonwealth institutions and civil society to translate commitments into tangible policies that protect children.

Simon Steyne: Technical Frameworks and Rural Development for SDG Progress

Simon Steyne provided a technical overview grounded in the ILO Conventions that form the basis of SDG Target 8.7. He noted that four Commonwealth countries have yet to ratify Convention 138, a key step for institutional accountability under SDG 16. A significant portion of his analysis focused on the intersection of child labour with agriculture, linking the issue to the need for integrated rural development, which is critical for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). He argued that achieving SDG 8.7 requires moving beyond simple enforcement to address the root causes of poverty through investment, decent wages, and market access for rural communities. His emphasis on data-driven approaches and community-led models, such as the one in Torkor, Ghana, underscored the importance of local ownership in successfully implementing the SDGs.

Champa Gunasekera: An Intersectional Approach to Protection and Empowerment

Champa Gunasekera focused on the intersectional vulnerabilities that perpetuate child labour, connecting it to domestic violence and gender discrimination, which are targets under SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children). She described child labour as a protection crisis rooted in structural inequality, a core concern of SDG 10. The “Kirana Kadiroli” youth empowerment initiative was presented as a best-practice model for advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and building resilience against exploitation. Her advocacy for community-generated evidence and peer-support networks aligns with the goal of building effective and inclusive institutions (SDG 16) from the ground up.

Rose Omamo: The Primacy of Decent Work (SDG 8)

Rose Omamo articulated the trade union perspective, framing child labour as a direct consequence of deficits in decent work for adults, a central theme of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). She argued that achieving living wages, social protection, and safe workplaces for adults is the most effective strategy to prevent child labour, thereby contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty). Omamo highlighted how climate change (SDG 13) acts as a labour crisis, displacing families and pushing children into hazardous work. The trade union response, advocating for a just transition and green jobs, directly supports the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda, linking climate action with the protection of labour rights and children’s welfare.

Commonwealth-Level Recommendations for Accelerating SDG Progress

The panelists proposed a series of actionable recommendations for the Commonwealth to advance the 2030 Agenda, with a focus on child labour.

• Simon Steyne:
  • Prioritise universal ratification of ILO Convention 138 to strengthen the institutional framework for SDG 16.
  • Strengthen alliances and regional cooperation (SDG 17) to support rural workers and ensure progress on SDG 1 and SDG 2.
  • Embed small-producer voices in global forums to ensure inclusive policymaking.
• Rose Omamo:
  • Commit to concrete actions that ensure every child’s right to education (SDG 4) over work.
  • Invest in labour inspection systems capable of reaching informal sectors, a key component of building effective institutions under SDG 16.
  • Uphold the principle that eliminating child labour is achievable through robust social and economic protections for families, in line with SDG 8 and SDG 10.
• Champa Gunasekera:
  • Promote peer learning and technical support for National Child Labour Elimination Strategies, fostering partnership under SDG 17.
  • Fund community-based monitoring systems to supplement formal inspections, enhancing accountability and contributing to SDG 16.
  • Ensure survivor and civil society participation in policy platforms to guarantee inclusive decision-making.

Conclusion

The webinar concluded with a strong consensus that the elimination of child labour is intrinsically linked to broader progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. Key takeaways emphasized that achieving SDG Target 8.7 requires a holistic approach that includes ensuring decent work for adults (SDG 8), providing quality education for all children (SDG 4), tackling the impacts of climate change (SDG 13), reducing inequality (SDG 10), and building strong, inclusive institutions (SDG 16). The positive evaluation from participants, with 100% finding the session useful and engaging, indicates a strong stakeholder commitment to advancing this critical agenda within the Commonwealth.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The entire article is centered on the eradication of child labour, which is a primary focus of SDG 8. It discusses the prevalence of child labour (“nearly one in ten children globally was engaged in labour in 2024”), its worst forms (“54 million in hazardous work”), and the urgent need for action to eliminate it. The webinar’s objective is to “raise awareness… about the urgent need to eradicate child labour.”

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article emphasizes the need for strong legal and institutional frameworks. It repeatedly calls for the “universal ratification and effective implementation of ILO Conventions 138 and 182.” It also highlights weaknesses in current systems, such as “inconsistent implementation,” “weak labour inspections,” and the need for “community-based monitoring systems where formal inspections are limited.”

3. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Poverty is identified as a root cause of child labour. The article notes that the “climate emergency drives families into poverty… and forces children into exploitative work.” It also describes “functional dependence,” where families “rely on children to work… because they cannot afford adult replacement,” directly linking child labour to economic hardship.

4. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article implicitly connects child labour with the denial of education. It states that when crises occur, “children are compelled to leave school and enter the workforce.” One of the core action commitments proposed is to ensure that “every child must learn,” positioning education as the alternative to labour.

5. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Climate change is presented as a significant driver of child labour. The article states that the webinar aimed to “examine how climate change and economic shocks are heightening children’s vulnerability to exploitation.” It gives examples from Mozambique and Malawi where “repeated cyclones and floods displace families, forcing children into casual labour.”

6. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article points out the gendered dimensions of child labour. It highlights that in Sri Lanka’s plantation communities, “girls are often removed from school to care for siblings or contribute to household income, placing them at heightened risk of exploitation.” This connects child labour to “gender-based discrimination.”

7. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Child labour is framed as a symptom of broader societal inequality. Rose Omamo states that it is “a clear indicator of inequality and insufficient protections for working families.” The article links the problem to “poverty wages” for adults and “structural inequality,” advocating for living wages and social protection to create a more equitable society where child labour is not necessary.

Specific SDG Targets Identified in the Article

1. Target 8.7: End child labour in all its forms

   • This is the most central target. The article explicitly mentions the “global target to eliminate child labour by 2025” and expresses concern that it is “unlikely to be met.” The entire discussion, from advocating for ILO conventions to proposing community-led solutions, is aimed at achieving this target.

2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children

   • The article details the worst forms of child labour, which fall under this target, including “hazardous work, forced labour, commercial sexual exploitation, and illicit activities.” It also discusses “internal trafficking” where children are sent to urban areas and end up in “exploitative domestic work arrangements.”

3. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems

   • The lack of social safety nets is identified as a key problem. The article notes that “limited social protection” exacerbates the issue and that trade unions advocate for “social protection” for working families to reduce their reliance on child income.

4. Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education

   • The article promotes education as the direct alternative to child labour. The recommendation for “concrete action commitments to ensure that ‘no child should work, and every child must learn'” directly supports the goal of universal education.

5. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies

   • The article connects climate action with labour rights. Trade unions are described as advocating for “just transition policies, green jobs, income support, and resilience measures” to protect adult workers from climate shocks, thereby shielding children from being forced into labour.

Indicators for Measuring Progress Mentioned in the Article

1. Proportion and number of children engaged in child labour

   • The article provides several statistics that serve as direct indicators: “nearly one in ten children globally was engaged in labour in 2024,” “138 million children aged 5–17 are engaged in child labour,” and “54 million in hazardous work.” It also cites a national success story where child labour in Kenya was reduced to “8.5%.”

2. Number of countries ratifying and implementing international conventions

   • Progress is measured by the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions. The article explicitly states that “Convention 182 has been universally ratified,” but “Convention 138 remains unratified by ten ILO member states, including four Commonwealth countries.” This serves as a clear indicator of institutional commitment.

3. Prevalence of child labour by sector

   • The article implies that tracking the sectors where child labour occurs is a key measurement tool. It provides the indicator that “Agriculture accounts for 61% of child labour globally and 70% in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

4. Strength of labour inspection systems

   • While not providing a number, the article implies that the effectiveness and reach of labour inspections are a key indicator of progress. It repeatedly mentions “weak labour inspections” as a problem and calls for “investment in labour inspection systems that can reach rural and informal sectors.”

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: ituc-csi.org