Child Labour
In Viet Nam, there are more than 1 million children aged 5-17 engaged in child labour, accounting for 5.4 per cent of the child population in this age group.
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The consequences of child labour are staggering
Child labour can result in extreme bodily and mental harm, and even death. It can lead to slavery and sexual or economic exploitation. And in nearly every case, it cuts children off from schooling and health care, restricting their fundamental rights and threatening their futures.
Key facts
The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years – with 9 million additional children at risk due to the impact of COVID-19.
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In Viet Nam, there are more than 1 million children aged 5-17 engaged in child labour, accounting for 5.4 per cent of the child population in this age group
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Among these child labourers, more than half perform hazardous work
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Half of child labourers did not go to school, of which 1.4% never attended school.
UNICEF response
UNICEF works to address child labour through a system approach, with a strong focus on prevention. The goal of a ‘systems approach’ is to create an environment where girls and boys are free from violence and exploitation.
Our efforts develop and strengthen the child protection system through capacity building and promoting the social service workforce, enhancement of coordination, improvement of case management, inter-agency referrals mechanism, provision of timely supports to child labourers and children at risk of child labour.
We also focus on strengthening parenting and community education initiatives to address harmful social norms that perpetuate child labour, while partnering with national and local governments to prevent violence, exploitation and abuse.
The goal of a ‘systems approach’ is to create an environment where girls and boys are free from violence and exploitation.
There is an increasing role of the private sector in protecting children from harm and improving their lives. UNICEF advocates for the private sector to take full responsibility for preventing and addressing child labour by raising awareness and capacity building among businesses and government on child rights and business (CRB), with a focus on child labour prevention and remediation, decent work and protection for young workers and skill development for boys and girls.
We also aim to ensure children removed from labour be safely returned to school or training. UNICEF supports increased access to quality education and provides comprehensive social services to keep children protected and with their families.
