The garment industry employs four million workers, the majority women. Many workers are in need of childcare, maternity and other family-friendly support. Child labour, especially in informal settings and lower tiers, is also prevalent and set to get worst following the pandemic. Learn how we can support you in Bangladesh. 

In Brazil, around a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line, and issues including child labour, high infant mortality rates, children not in education, illness, lack of maternity protection, violence (including sexual violence), and discrimination against indigenous groups are all still common issues. Brazil has also been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 600,000 deaths recorded by December 2021.

Child labour is prevalent in Cambodia today, with 8% of children between the ages of 5 to 14 engaged in work activities, according to pre-pandemic statistics. Lack of family-friendly support in the garment industry, especially for women who make up the bulk of garment workers, is another challenge. Learn how we can support you in Cambodia.

The Centre has carried out child labour risks assessments in cotton, cashew and cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire (CDI). Cotton is a vital aspect of the country's agricultural sector, but it involves a complex web of child rights issues. Cotton production is primarily carried out on small holder and family farms. Child labour is prevalent, ranging from seasonal work during school breaks to instances of forced labour and human trafficking.

An estimated 15.5 million children are left behind by their parents who migrated to coastal provinces for work in China’s manufacturing hubs. And while we observe a positive trend of more and more parents bringing their children with them, this often means loose access to the community support systems and challenges in accessing quality childcare and education.

Addressing the need for a sustainable, immediate, yet long-term solution to child labour prevention and remediation, The Centre, with support from the Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA) established The Hub in 2022. The Hub is set up as an association together with seven local CSOs, to build a strong, local network of child rights practitioners in the Kolwezi area. It breaks the cycle of child labour by supporting the return of children to education, overseeing their development, and providing financial assistance until the child reaches working age.

An estimated 1.8 million children are working in Egypt, with 1.6 million believed to be engaged in hazardous work or unlawful forms of work. Poverty is a key driver of child labour: prior to the pandemic 28% of Egyptians were living in poverty and 7% of children were out of school. A further 34% of girls over 15 were struggling to read and write. 

The textile and garment industry in Ethiopia has been growing rapidly in the last few years and an increasing number of major multinational apparel brands are sourcing from the country. At the same time, international buyers are increasingly focusing on possible social and environmental risks in the textile supply chain in Ethiopia.

India’s large child population coupled with a booming manufacturing industry means child rights issues linked to businesses are commonplace. Around 10 million children between 5 and 14 are engaged in work, while 20% of all children aged 15 to 17 years old are involved in hazardous industries and jobs. 91% of Indian women in paid jobs are in the informal sector where there is little or no maternity protection or family-friendly policies.

Export-oriented agriculture is both one of the most important contributors to Indonesia’s GDP, and one of the highest risk sectors for child labour. Additional challenges include lack of family-friendly workplaces and limited opportunities for young workers who’ve reached the legal working age. Learn how we can support you in Indonesia. 

Child labour is a challenge in Laos, especially in the agriculture and informal sectors, which hire the majority of workers. Young workers are also facing barriers in their pursuit of decent jobs in the regulated formal sector, while garment workers lack access to maternity and other family-friendly support systems. Learn how we can support you in Laos.

Malaysia is home to a large population of “stateless” children and families across the nation are facing increased hardships due to the pandemic. These challenges are aggravating the risk of child labour in Malaysia, which has already been an ongoing challenge, especially on palm oil plantations. 

Around 3.2 million children between 5 and 17 years are employed in Mexico, a number expected to rise as economic and educational repercussions of COVID-19 continue to affect children. Many children work in the informal sector but there are also regular reports of children working in the international supply chain, particularly in the agriculture sector where child labour is prevalent. 

Political turmoil aside, Myanmar’s manufacturing industry has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, with many working families struggling to get by. Child labour is likely to increase significantly, and young people are being increasingly pushed into unregulated, opaque work settings. Learn how we can support you in Myanmar.

Today, 2.3% of Sri Lanka's 4.5 million children are actively working, with half of them involved in child labour, and a portion engaging in the worst forms of child labour. The ongoing economic crisis is compounding significant challenges across various aspects, including limited access to sufficient nutrition, healthcare, fuel, and education.

A 2021 child rights impact assessment conducted by The Centre in a Philippine manufacturing supplier shed some light on the challenges facing parent workers and their children. This includes inadequate maternity protection and insufficient knowledge and support regarding healthcare. The pandemic is also having a devastating impact on families who no longer have stable incomes, and child labour is expected to increase significantly. 

Seasonal, migrant workers and their children face many challenges in Turkiye’s agriculture sector including lack of access to education, social protection and healthcare, and childcare. Child labour and young workers engaged in hazardous work is common. Challenges also exist in responsibly managing refugees and ensuring family-friendly supply chains, especially in lower tiers. Learn how we can support you in Turkiye.

According to the latest statistics by the US Department of Labor, child labour violations in the US are at their highest level in nearly two decades. Child labour in the US is attributed to numerous factors including a rise in unaccompanied minors arriving in the US to work, labour shortages and inflation.

With urban migration on the rise in Vietnam, more children are being left behind. Parent workers living with their children face a lack of childcare services, while inadequate employment opportunities for young workers and the persistence of child labor in lower tiers, agriculture, and informal sectors remain ongoing challenges. Discover how we can assist in Vietnam.