Stop Child Labor
An estimated 211 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are working around the world according to the International Labor Organization.
Of these, 120 million children are working full time to help support their impoverished families. Although child labor is most common in the Global South, it is found throughout the world, including the US. Child laborers are often exposed to conditions extremely harmful to their physical and mental well-being.
The International Labor Rights Forum has played a leading role in fighting to eradicate the child labor by highlighting the use of child labor in the production of imported goods from foreign countries, increasing consumer awareness and action, and promoting the passage of important legislation. ILRF works to advocate for the implementation of the International Labor Organization Conventions concerning child and forced labor.
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Your donation will help end forced labor, child labor, and other workers' rights abuses around the world.
Nestle, Mars & Hershey: Stop Child Labor!
Despite widespread concern about child and trafficked labor in the cocoa industry in West Africa since 2001, these abusive labor practices continue. Tell Hershey, M&M/Mars and Nestle that enough is enough and we want real answers now!
Tell Cargill and ADM to Stop Supporting Slavery!
Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland are fighting against a provision in the Farm Bill which would provide importers with a voluntary way to demonstrate to consumers that their products are harvested without the worst forms of child labor or forced labor. Click below to take action!
Video
Check out this video which features interviews with two child laborers on Firestone's rubber plantation.
Publications and Resources
- S'mores Action: Color-In Petition to Hershey
- S'mores Action: Petition to Hershey
- S'mores Action: Sign for Hershey Photo
- Forced Labor and Child Labor in Central Asia Event Agenda
- ‘We Live Subject to their Orders’: A Three-Province Survey of Forced Child Labor in Uzbekistan’s 2008 Cotton Harvest
Recent Headlines
- Activists hail move against Uzbekistan child labour Deutsche Presse-Agentur
- Child Labour Worsening Due to Global Crisis ITUC Online
- Outlaw Tainted ‘White Gold’ ITGLWF Press Release
- Pounding rock and crushing potential: Child labour in DR Congo UNICEF
- Solis Commits to Battling Child Labor Abuse Women's Wear Daily
About the Photo
Children enjoying a snack in India.
Credit: Robin Romano
Valentine's Day: No Bitter Chocolate!
Child labor continues on cocoa farms in West Africa. Before buying Valentine's Day chocolate, check out ILRF's new chocolate company scorecard and our e-mail action to the bitter chocolate companies!
Cocoa Company Scorecard
The problem of trafficked child labor in cocoa harvesting surfaced in 2001 and consumers have been demanding reform since that time. The chocolate companies have all made lofty promises, but how many have delivered?