According to a report titled “Child Labour: 2020 Global Forecasts, Trends and the Way Ahead” jointly published by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, the number of child workers has increased for the first time in 20 years, rising by 8.4 million to reach a total of 160 million. The report highlights a significant increase in the number of child workers between the ages of 5 and 11, who now account for more than half of all child workers globally. The report also warns that the COVID-19 pandemic could result in an additional nine million children worldwide being forced into child labor by the end of 2022.
ESG Risks Deducted from the Article:
1. Increase in child labor: The report highlights the alarming increase in the number of child workers, reversing the downward trend observed in previous years.
2. Hazardous work: The number of children aged 5 to 17 engaged in hazardous jobs, which can harm their health, safety, or morals, has increased by 6.5 million since 2016, reaching a total of 79 million.
3. Adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic has exacerbated the risk of child labor, with economic shocks, school closures, and job and income losses experienced by vulnerable families contributing to the increase in child labor.
Groups of Affected or Vulnerable People:
1. Children between the ages of 5 and 17: These children are vulnerable to being forced into child labor, particularly in hazardous jobs.
2. Families facing economic shocks and income losses: The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left vulnerable families more susceptible to resorting to child labor as a means of survival.
Companies Mentioned and their Roles in ESG Risk (if applicable):
1. International Labor Organization (ILO): The ILO, in partnership with UNICEF, published the report on child labor trends, highlighting the increase in child labor and the need for urgent measures to address the issue.
Keywords:
1. Child labor
2. International Labor Organization
3. COVID-19 pandemic
4. Hazardous work
5. Vulnerable families
6. Economic shocks
7. School closures
8. Income losses
9. Urgent measures
10. Global forecasts
SOURCE