ILO marks major milestone in fight against child labour in Egypt

CAIRO, Egypt (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) has successfully concluded its six-year initiative, Accelerating Action for the Elimination of Child Labour in Supply Chains in Africa (ACCEL Africa), in Egypt. The project, carried out in collaboration with the Egyptian government and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, focused on addressing child labour in the country’s cotton supply chain.

The closing ceremony, held in Cairo, celebrated significant achievements, including enabling more than 2,800 children to return to school and empowering over 3,400 parents with livelihood support. These results underline the project’s integrated approach, combining education, economic empowerment, and social protection to combat child labour effectively.

An agreement formalized during the event will ensure the sustainability of these efforts. The ILO handed over a computerized inspection system to the Ministry of Labour, enhancing its capacity to monitor and address child labour through advanced digital tools.

Reflecting on the project, ILO representatives emphasized the importance of tackling the root causes of child labour, particularly through strengthening economic opportunities and education access for vulnerable communities. The initiative also aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 goals of improving quality of life and fostering social protection systems.

The event included discussions on lessons learned and the way forward, focusing on collaboration, resource mobilization, and policy improvements. Success stories from beneficiaries and labour inspectors highlighted the tangible impact of the initiative.

As ACCEL Africa draws to a close in Egypt, its legacy offers a blueprint for broader efforts to eradicate child labour, reaffirming the ILO’s commitment to creating a future free from exploitation.