A focus on Child Labour in the Agricultural Sector

The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Ministry of Employment and Labour, jointly launched a European Union funded Child Labour project that seeks to strengthen the prevention and elimination of child labour in the agricultural sector in South Africa on 17 November 2023.

In his keynote address, Employment and Labour Minister said “poverty, lack of access to education, and limited awareness about child rights create an environment where child labour thrives;.
The Minister was also joined by the Department of Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, and the Minister for the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as speakers at the project launch.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Officer in Charge, Ms Maria Machailo-Molebatsi, said South Africa has made a significant advancement in addressing child labour including its worst forms. Quoting from the last survey report on the Activities of Young People published by Statssa revealed a significant decline in Child labour from an estimated 208 000 from 779 000 in 2010 to 571 000 in 2019.

The Government has also established legislative measures against the worst forms of Child Labour and at protecting the rights of children – and instituted amendments to legislation to bring them in better alignment with ratified international instruments. Despite these positive gains, implementation gaps persist, and a significant number of children still face the worst forms of child labour."

Maria Machaillo-Molebatsi, ILO Pretoria Officer in Charge

She said the vulnerability and predisposition of children to child labour was also exacerbated by recent the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters such as the severe flooding in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal.
Taking note of commendable strides made by South Africa to address Child Labour, the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations continues to urge Government to enhance efforts for the progressive elimination of child labour and to intensify actions against child labour, especially hazardous work,” she said.


The Durban Call to Action, adopted at the Global Conference in May 2022 resonates with the project approach, in that it commits different role players to take immediate and effective measures to eliminate child labour.
To tackle the grave issue of child labour, the Minister said “we must first understand its root causes”. “Education lies at the heart of this endeavour. We must invest in educational opportunities for all children, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds. By ensuring that every child has access to quality education, we empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to society.


European Union Ambassador, Ms Sandra Kramer, congratulated South Africa “

on the significant progress made to prevent, eliminate and mitigate the adverse impacts of economic activities on human rights such as child labour."

Sandra Kramer, EU Ambassador to South Africa

The project launched today 17 November 2023, is to be piloted in two provinces, that is, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape – due to the prevalence of child labour in provinces. The launch was attended by representatives from Government, Workers and Employers representatives as well as UNICEF and FAO Representatives.