Elimination of child labour

Assessment of vulnerable youth economic integration opportunities in Myanmar

This study was commissioned by the ILO’s MyPEC project in Myanmar to support the implementation of the National Action Plan on Child Labour (the NAP) in Myanmar. Economic empowerment of youth is a key strategy towards elimination of child labour in Myanmar. First of all, the prospects of entering decent employment or self-employment is a core motivational factor for children and families to pursue the long-term goal of education over the short-term goal of increased income through child labour, especially where resources are scarce and pursuing the long-term goal may mean immediate term sacrifices. If the prospects of economic empowerment/decent work at the end of one’s education are slim, children are more likely to drop out of school early and enter into child labour.

Secondly, support for economic empowerment can be a viable strategy to support young people found in hazardous work or other Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL). Such economic empowerment may take on several forms and would typically be a suitable strategy for older children/young people who cannot – or who may not wish to – go back to the formal education system.