Forthcoming reports: Vulnerability paper series

Developed with funding from the United States Department of Labor, under the MAP16 Project, this report series comprises four reports that each addresses a key area of vulnerability to child labour: (1) vulnerabilities associated with the impacts of climate change (2) vulnerabilities associated with situations of crisis; (3) vulnerabilities faced by indigenous peoples; and (4) vulnerabilities associated with informality. For each of the thematic areas, the reports review evidence of the linkages with child labour and implications for policy.

These four areas were identified as among those where knowledge gaps are particularly pronounced. They are by no means an exhaustive listing of the vulnerabilities that can drive children’s involvement in child labour, but, either singly or in combination, affect a large proportion of the 160 million children who are still in child labour worldwide.

It is critical that child labour considerations are mainstreamed into policy responses designed to mitigate these vulnerabilities. Achieving the 2025 deadline for ending child labour in all its forms under Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be possible without adequate consideration to the risks of child labour associated with climate change, situations of crisis and informality. Nor will it be possible without bespoke policies to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples.

Issue paper on child labour and education exclusion among indigenous children

This issue paper addresses the twin challenges of child labour and education exclusion among indigenous children. It is based on an extensive literature review as well as on a series of focus group discussions conducted with organizations of indigenous peoples from Cambodia, Kenya, the Russian Federation, Nepal and Tanzania. The available evidence demonstrates a strong link between the persistently high rates of child labour and education exclusion among indigenous children, on one hand, and broader patterns of discrimination, subjugation and marginalization faced by indigenous peoples, on the other. Progress against child labour and education exclusion of indigenous children, therefore, depends critically on efforts to prevent and address the violations of the broader collective and individual rights of indigenous peoples.

Issue paper on child labor and climate change

This issue paper brings together and reviews existing research on the interplay between climate change and child labour. It is aimed at providing an initial picture of some of the key channels – both direct and indirect – through which climate change and climate change responses are linked to child labour, and the broad implications for policy moving forward. The paper examines more than 100 articles from the peer-reviewed literature and reports from international organizations, think tanks and NGOs. The available evidence, though still limited, makes abundantly clear that climate change – and public and private responses to it - is already having profound impacts on child labour, and, following from this, on global progress toward ending all forms of child labour. There is an urgent consequent need to consider child labour in broader public and private action towards a just transition to climate-neutral economies and societies.