The world commemorates the International Day Against Child Labour on Friday, 12th June 2020, with the theme addressing pandemic impacts on children.
COVID-19 worsened Uganda's existing challenges, with preliminary assessments anticipating 2.6 million additional poor people. Economic projections suggested 4,000,000 Ugandans could lose their jobs within six months.
The COVID-19 Impact
A key finding stated: 56% of respondents reported an increase in children working since lockdown began. Furthermore, 60% of people surveyed have observed an increase in children involved in worst forms of child labour, including commercial sexual exploitation and informal labor like firewood selling.
Pre-pandemic, two million children were engaged in child labour activities according to 2011-2012 survey data. School closures increased vulnerability as children remained home without educational engagement.
Call for Action
- Parents/guardians: Protect children from exploitative work
- Government: Enforce protective laws
- Business: Adopt Human Rights principles
- Policymakers: Increase budget allocations and amend employment legislation
- Children: Report rights violations
Child labour persists despite legal frameworks, driven by poverty, orphanhood, and cultural norms devaluing education. The time to act is now.
