World Day Against Child Labour

A decade against child labour: Latin American and Caribbean countries present a mural on the region's trajectory at the ILC

12 June 2024

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Mural co-created by 31 countries and employers' and workers' organizations, represents the ten-year history of the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour.

ILO News (LIMA) - – Child labour is a reality for 8.2 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean.

To address the situation, the region has come together through the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour. This alliance includes 31 countries, business and trade union organizations, the International Labour Organization and other development partners, all working together with the goal of eradicating child labour.

This year, the Regional Initiative celebrates 10 years of existence, and to begin the commemoration of this X Anniversary, its members have co-created a special mural, entitled "#AddingEfforts for a region without child labour", which was unveiled during the High-Level Debate for the World Day Against Child Labour, at the 112th International Labour Conference.

"The mural we have presented shows that to achieve the eradication of child labour we must work together from each of our areas. Eradication will come when we put a lot of effort into prevention. The Regional Initiative joins forces with a regional vision, with the commitment of each of the countries and sectors to have a local impact that manages to prevent and eradicate child labour from the structural causes."
Pilar Rodríguez, Coordinadora de la Secretaría Técnica de la Iniciativa Regional

In recent decades, Latin America and the Caribbean has reduced the rate of child labour by more than 50 per cent (1998-2020). In the midst of this journey, the Regional Initiative has been the engine that propels coordinated action; uniting governments, business and trade union sectors, together with the ILO and development partners, in the same direction.

"We must continue to join forces and expand support to fulfil the commitment we have all made, to see a region free of child labour,” said Gloria Inés Ramírez, Minister of Labour of Colombia.

“There have been continuous breakthroughs to reduce the amount of children that are in child labour,” said Jason Menso, Acting Head International Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Suriname.

"We have a great responsibility to our children and the obligation to redouble efforts to achieve their development,” said Cícero Pereira, Focal Point of Workers of the Regional Initiative.

“The Initiative is a space that allows us to renew our commitment through actions and add experience, but also the innovative approaches that we can contribute as employers to have a robust social dialogue,” said Laura Giménez, Employer Focal Point of the Regional Initiative.

The pandemic and the multiple crises linked together have slowed down: 8.2 million children and adolescents are still in child labour, so it is necessary to accelerate the pace.

This mural is a powerful reminder of the shared commitment that Latin America and the Caribbean have in the definitive elimination of child labour, the promotion of the rights of children and adolescents and that it is possible to achieve the eradication of child labour.

Media contact: [email protected]

Commemorative mural

This mural is a vivid representation of Latin America and the Caribbean's decade-long journey of uniting efforts in the fight against child labour. From the darkness of child labour, symbolized by rain and gloom, to the bright light of the sun and the explosion of colours, the mural reflects the region's continued progress in this cause. In the upper left corner, the beginning of this journey is shown through social dialogue between governments, businesses, and unions, represented by the keys that open the doors to mutual understanding and to advancing social justice.

This dialogue expands and strengthens in a colourful path along the mural, growing from three sections to five, symbolizing the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and development partners in this fight. The colourful path that runs through the mural represents the path to a future without child labour, and above it, five hands hold a pinwheel as a symbol of working together and in solidarity. Although the pinwheel remains unassembled, it reminds us that the task is not yet complete and that we must continue to move forward.

Each blade of the pinwheel represents fundamental rights for girls and boys, which we must continue to promote in the fight against child labour: health, play, education, a family with decent work and personal development. These rights, pillars of a full childhood, are defended and promoted by the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour, which brings together 31 countries and various international and governmental organizations in a joint effort for a better future for all children in the region. This mural is a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to promote and guarantee the well-being of future generations.
In October 2014, the Ministers of Labour of 24 countries in the region created the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour, calling for integration in the fight against child labour, together with other interlocutors social.

The Regional Initiative celebrates 10 years of experience in October 2024, integrating 31 countries in the region, 7 business organizations, 7 trade union organizations, the International Labour Organization, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and the United States Department of Labor.

Voices against child labour

Having a coordinated effort from all countries is, I think, quite unusual

Arlette Martinez, Government focal point
We have already overcome the most evident aspect of child labour in our regions and now we need to address the structural problems

Juliana Manrique, Representantative of employers organizations (Nacional Asociation of Industry- Colombia).
We are increasingly going to see visualize whee child labour is and how to eliminate it

Paola Egusquiza, Worker’s Organizations Representative (Central Autónoma de Trabajadores del Peru)

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