International Initiative to End Child Labor

USAID's investment years ago in a Tanzania-based program has yielded positive long-term results in a growing number of countries to empower women and girls in the third world. The program, which is still active, needs further support to continue to expand and grow. Unfortunately, USAID no longer exists although the needs are still great. You can view their video about the initiative at https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gygg57o19/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Watch Lydia's Story When you make a gift to CAMFED, you're ensuring more girls like Lydia can stay in school, complete their education, and build brighter futures.

US Department of State has released its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report available online only. A future update will provide a link to download the report. To access the report, follow the link below:

2025 Trafficking in Persons Report - United States Department of State  

USDOL has issued its 2024 Annual Report on worldwide child labor progress. The report's executive summary entitled, "Exposing Foreign Labor Abuses to Address Unfair Competition for American Workers and Companies" can be accessed through the link below. The purpose of the report is to identify those countries who are making significant progress toward ensuring that key elements exist in the country's legislative, enforcement, and social programs that are critical to ending child labor.

Child labor (138 million worldwide) remains a significant global problem that requires continued attention, especially with 58 million children remaining in hazardous child labor. Agriculture remains the leading sector where child labor is persistent (60%). Services (27%) and industry (13%) sectors follow as second and third. As seen in past reports, more boys (57%) than girls are caught up in the worst forms of child labor.

Along with other criteria under legislation, enforcement and social programs, four new criteria for addressing child labor have been added for evaluating various countries' progress:

1. A compulsory education age;
2. Free public education laws that meet international standards;
3. A functioning reporting mechanism to report child labor violations; and
4. A digital tracking system for labor inspectors to log and reference civil worst forms of child labor violations.

The USDOL production of this report is required under the Trade and Development Act of 2000, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. (See link to Executive Summary below)

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2024/Executive-Summary-2024-Findings-on-the-Worst-Forms-of-Child-Labor.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawNI3QhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiTT_QjmKTcfYYpF3fg5sexQ_Nnm54rpz36_7gyAXfoBCSGsupM99sII1YOK_aem_HZmxaCt3XVJGUY1iiC_BTA

www.dol.gov

An article in the Boston Herald exposes that concerns over the use of child and forced laborers has resulted in the U.S. Customs placing a hold on Chinese-built MBTA railcars that are intended for use in the U.S. According to Erik Olson, Executive Director of the Rail Security Alliance, the administration is "right to want proof from the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation that equipment they are shipping into the U.S. isn’t being made in violation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.'

Further, Olson states that 'the cars manufactured by CRRC in the United States have long been suspected of including mica mined in Africa by an 'army' of children.' The operation, Olson said, “has been called ‘one of the worst forms of child labor’ in the world, exploiting an estimated 86,000 children or more.”

The Chinese-government’s use of forced labor by members of the Uyghur community, Olson said, is “well-documented.” Olson cites a 2020 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which found that upwards of 80,000 Uyghurs were forced to work in Chinese factories. That report named CRRC as one of the manufacturers using forced labor.

A 2025 investigation by the New York Times and the The Bureau of Investigative Journalism confirmed much of the ASPI’s report.

“Throughout it all, CRRC has continued to reap billions of dollars in passenger train contracts — unchecked — from Boston to Los Angeles,” Olson said.

Child labor concerns lead to U.S. Customs hold on Chinese-built MBTA railcars A rail security watchdog is praising the Trump Administration for holding up the import of components meant for the construction of MBTA railcars over allegations their manufacturing makes use of c…

ILO and UNICEF data suggests a reduction in the numbers of children in child labor, but still 138 million children impacted.

Child Labor Statistics - UNICEF DATA Children around the world are routinely engaged in paid and unpaid forms of work that are not harmful to them. However, they are considered to be engaged in child labour when they are either too young to work, work for long hours, or are involved in hazardous activities that, by its nature or circum...

In the US, several states are taking steps to weaken laws that protect children from labor exploitation. This has resulted in a continuing rise in child labor violations. Child labor is generally defined as work that is hazardous to a child’s health, safety, and morals.

Slaughterhouse children: Child labor exposed in America’s food industry In towns across America, children working in dangerous jobs in slaughterhouses is an open secret. Data from the Labor Department says that children are illegally working at alarming rates. NBC News takes you inside these slaughterhouses in an investigation that spans six states, two countries, dozen...

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/us/migrant-child-labor-audits.html

They’re Paid Billions to Root Out Child Labor in the U.S. Why Do They Fail? Private auditors have failed to detect migrant children working for U.S. suppliers of Oreos, Ge**er baby snacks, McDonald’s milk and many other products.

IIECL's Board President, Diane Mull, had the honor to be interviewed recently by Peter Shaker, Professor at Sacred Heart University, who created Spotlight on NonProfits: People Caring for People & Our Planet. The podcast shines a light on the work of nonprofits in the U.S. and globally. The various podcasts can be found on Spotify.

End Child Labor - Diane Mull by Spotlight on Nonprofits: People Caring for People & Our Planet (Photo: © UNICEF India 2021) Diane Mull currently serves as the President of the board of directors for the International Initiative to End Child Labor. She formerly served as the Executive Director for over 20 years. Diane is an international development expert in child rights, forced and child la...