South Africa’s Fight Against Child Labour

Child labour remains a persistent challenge in South Africa, with approximately 571,000 children engaged in various forms of work that hinder their development and well-being. To combat this, the Child Labour Programme of Action (CLPA) was established as the country’s strategic framework for preventing, reducing, and ultimately eliminating child labour. Since its inception in 2003, the CLPA has been implemented in four phases, led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) in collaboration with government agencies, civil society organizations, business representatives, and labour unions.

As the fourth phase of the CLPA concluded, an evaluation commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2022 revealed gaps in implementation and data availability. These challenges underscored the need for a stronger monitoring and evaluation system in the next phase. In response, the development of the fifth phase of the CLPA has been designed to address these shortcomings and adapt to emerging child labour challenges.

Advancing the Fight Against Child Labour

A major milestone in this journey was the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, held in Durban in May 2022. The conference resulted in the Durban Call to Action, urging governments worldwide to intensify their efforts against child labour, particularly its worst forms such as trafficking and forced labour.

Building on this momentum, South Africa hosted two pivotal CLPA workshops in Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal in October 2024. These workshops provided a platform to analyze lessons from previous CLPA phases and outline practical steps to advance child labour eradication efforts. Key themes included, strengthening collaboration, clarifying child labour definitions, improving enforcement mechanisms, empowering civil society, enhancing monitoring and evaluation, and addressing socio-economic drivers.

Tackling Child Labour in Rural Areas

A separate Validation Workshop for the Scoping Study focused on child labour in deep rural areas, where children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Held in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, the workshop reviewed a scoping study to ensure its findings accurately reflected on-the-ground realities and adhered to ethical research standards. Key challenges identified included restricted access to these areas, long working hours for farm workers, and logistical barriers to enforcement.

The workshop engaged a wide range of stakeholders—including government officials, community leaders, civil society organizations, and international bodies—to refine recommendations and ensure they were practical and impactful.

A Renewed Commitment to Ending Child Labour

The CLPA and the series of 2024 workshops demonstrate South Africa’s sustained commitment to eliminating child labour in all its forms. By fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, addressing enforcement challenges, and investing in sustainable solutions, the country is making significant strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7: the global eradication of child labour.

The fight against child labour is far from over, but with continued commitment and a strengthened CLPA, South Africa is paving the way for a future where every child can grow up free from exploitation and with access to education and opportunity.