Feb. 7, 2025 • Reading time: 15 Min
As part of the 2030 Agenda, the global community has committed to eliminating all forms of child labor by 2025 (Goal 8.7). Child labor is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that affects millions of children worldwide. In general, child labor is defined as work that is dangerous, takes too many hours or is performed by children who are too young. As a result, children are deprived of their childhood, their potential and dignity are undermined and their physical and mental development is impaired. According to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) from June 2021, 160 million children between the ages of five and 17 are employed worldwide. The ILO revises the statistics every four years, which is why new information will be available in 2025. Around 70% of these children are involved in agricultural work, often under dangerous and unhealthy conditions.
In the context of the global sustainability movement and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the issue of child labor is becoming increasingly relevant. Companies are increasingly responsible for reviewing their supply chains and ensuring that they do not support child labor. This is not only an ethical obligation, but also a business necessity: sustainable and socially responsible business practice promotes customer trust and strengthens long-term business stability. In this context, initiatives such as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and comprehensive sustainability reporting (CSRD) are crucial to setting clear standards and effectively combating the exploitation of children.
In the following article, we address the issue of child labor by analyzing the current challenges and legal frameworks related to combating child labor. We also look at how companies can monitor their supply chains to ensure they are free from exploitative practices.
Child labor is a complex global problem that is mainly caused by poverty and a lack of social security systems. When the income of adults is insufficient, children often have to contribute to financial support, especially in times of crisis such as after natural disasters or during conflicts. Inadequate access to quality education is also a key factor, leaving many children excluded. Educational inequalities are exacerbated by overcrowded classrooms and poorly qualified teachers. In addition, social norms contribute to children being seen as low-cost labour, which puts marginalized communities and ethnic minorities at particular risk.
Globally, one in ten children is affected by child labor, and the figures are even higher in the poorest regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Crisis areas are particularly affected, where many children are forced to work under extreme conditions.
Laws such as the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG) in Germany aim to prohibit or regulate child labor. International agreements such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO conventions set global standards to protect children from exploitation and guarantee their right to education and a safe childhood. Convention No. 138 sets the minimum age for employment at 15 years, while No. 182 prohibits exploitative and hazardous child labor, including slavery, child prostitution, hazardous work environments and activities.
The LkSG and the EU CSDDD Directive oblige companies to exercise and report on human rights and environmental due diligence along their supply chains. Among other things, they aim to combat child labor through identification, prevention and complaints mechanisms.
Companies should implement robust due diligence programs, including risk assessments, grievance mechanisms and supplier codes of conduct. Collaboration with NGOs and transparent reporting are essential, as are training and awareness-raising measures.
Technology, such as software solutions for supply chain management and whistleblowing systems, enables better monitoring and early detection of abuses. Digital platforms improve access to education to tackle the root causes of child labor.
Child labor is a multifaceted and serious problem that is intertwined in many ways with economic, educational and socio-cultural factors. Poverty is one of the key economic factors that encourage child labor. In many regions of the world, adults earn insufficient incomes and have no access to social security systems, forcing families to rely on their children's income. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this need intensified as many parents lost their income. Employers in many sectors are taking advantage of children's vulnerability as they can pay lower wages. This problem is often exacerbated in crisis situations, such as after natural disasters or during conflicts, where livelihoods are destroyed and entire communities are impoverished.
Climate change is also causing agricultural crises, which can force families to move to cities and take their children with them to work. In summary, it can be said that material poverty is closely linked to the increase in child labor and that many social, economic and political factors contribute to this.
Another key aspect is access to education. Worldwide, 263 million children do not attend school, either due to the lack of availability of educational facilities in their vicinity or because they lack the financial means for school fees and learning materials. Overcrowded classes and inadequately trained teaching staff further exacerbate educational inequality, while discriminatory practices such as bullying against girls and minorities further restrict access to education.
Socio-cultural influences also play a significant role. Traditions and social norms can push children into the world of work, especially in cultures where children are seen as cheap labor. Discrimination further exacerbates this situation by excluding certain groups from basic rights and offering them fewer opportunities for education and development. Children from marginalized communities, refugee families or ethnic minorities are particularly at risk.
Overall, the issue of child labor highlights the complexity of the global challenges posed by economic insecurity, inadequate education systems and discriminatory social structures. Overcoming these challenges requires international cooperation and a prudent approach that both increases educational opportunities and strengthens economic and social structures in the long term.
Overall, around one in ten children worldwide is affected by child labor, which corresponds to a global average of around ten percent. In the poorest regions of the world, this proportion is even alarmingly high: here, one in four children is forced to work in some form. The situation is particularly dramatic in war and crisis zones, where over 30 percent of children are forced to work, often under extreme conditions.
These figures illustrate the serious challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, where a significant number of children are forced into working conditions. The continent is affected by numerous unstable states and protracted conflicts, while 39 percent of the world's refugees live here alone. Currently, an estimated 86.6 million children are victims of child labor in Africa, accounting for a quarter of the child population.
In addition, there are around 10 million working children in North Africa and the Middle East, accounting for 7.8 percent of children there. Child labor has increased significantly in this region, particularly as a result of the Syrian conflict. These developments call for urgent measures to combat child labor and improve the living conditions of affected children worldwide.
The employment of children (§ 2 para. 1) is prohibited(§ 5 para. JArbSchG (Youth Employment Protection Act)). Of course, this does not apply to school internships, for example. The ban on employing children also does not apply to children over the age of 13, provided that they have the consent of their legal guardians and the work is light and suitable for children. Such work must not jeopardize the safety, health and development of the children, nor interfere with their school attendance or professional orientation. Working hours may be two hours a day, or three hours on family farms. Employment is not permitted between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., before or during lessons. An example of such light work is delivering newspapers. The minimum age for regular employment is 15 years (§ 2 Para. 2).
The BKA Federal Situation Report on Human Trafficking and Exploitation 2022 reports a total of 171 cases involving underage victims in the 2022 reporting period. Of these, 156 proceedings related to commercial sexual exploitation, while 6 proceedings related to labor exploitation. In addition, there was one case involving exploitation in connection with criminal acts, 5 cases of forced marriage and 4 cases in the context of child trafficking. A total of 270 underage victims were affected. There are worrying individual cases of exploitative child labor, including the forced sale of minors to brothels or their use in the production of child pornography. There are also cases of illegal work under exploitative conditions in the construction and hospitality sectors.
The Child Labor Report 2024 by Terre des Hommes reveals that more children are working under questionable working conditions in Germany than previously assumed. Despite annual reports from trade supervisory authorities on around 60 violations in child and youth labor protection, the Federal Criminal Police Office only documents six cases of labor exploitation of minors, which indicates a considerable number of unreported cases. In a survey of 37 children, 14 were working in prohibited activities such as door standing or serving alcohol without the authorities, teachers or supervisors being informed. This underlines the lack of knowledge about rights and occupational health and safety among young people.
The Federal Criminal Police Office describes labor exploitation as a "control crime" and suspects a considerable number of unreported cases. There is a lack of data on working children, especially those from refugee families or in poverty. Violations of the Youth Employment Protection Act affect all social classes, and schoolchildren from wealthy families are also at risk. Family work can be positive, but carries risks if it is inappropriate or excessive. Violations are particularly common in family businesses.
Around 2.5 million children in Germany have chronically ill parents, including around 480,000 "young carers" who take on extensive care tasks. Although these activities can promote cohesion, they can also entail health and educational risks. In addition, children's involvement in social media jeopardizes their privacy, as financial interests are often at the forefront.
The legal framework for protection against harmful work urgently needs to be improved. The Youth Employment Protection Act does not take sufficient action and ignores many forms of work such as self-employment or influencer work.
Overall, the report shows that the current legal situation and its implementation are not sufficient to protect children in Germany from harmful work. Comprehensive reform and closer cooperation between stakeholders are required to effectively protect children's rights and minimize risk factors.
The problem of child labor is far-reaching and affects a wide range of products that we use in our everyday lives. It is not only found in fashion, but also in many other areas that are often overlooked. For example, cars, cosmetics, cell phones and computers are not free from the dark side of these practices. Everyday luxury foods such as coffee, chocolate, tea and juices as well as agricultural products such as hazelnuts and chilies can also be associated with child labor.
Child labor is particularly common in the early stages of supply chains, where children extract or cultivate raw materials, often under extreme conditions. One example of this is mica, a mineral that is used in many everyday products such as the automotive, cosmetics and electronics industries. Children have to work in mines to extract this mineral, which not only endangers their health, but also significantly restricts their education and therefore their future prospects.
Children are also severely affected in the fashion industry. They often work in the cotton fields and harvest the cotton under precarious conditions. This cotton is then used by major brands that sell their products in markets around the world. The reality of these children's lives is characterized by hard work and a lack of educational opportunities, meaning they are unable to break out of a vicious circle of poverty and exploitation.
A similar situation can be observed for very common foods such as cocoa, coffee and oranges, which are grown for large food companies. Harvesting these delicate goods is laborious and requires a lot of manual work; children are often forced to do this work to supplement the family income. It is estimated that around ten percent of child laborers work in the production of these goods, which are part of our global consumer world and fill numerous supermarket shelves.
A significant proportion of child laborers are not employed in formal jobs, but rather support their families, often informally. Many of these children work alongside their parents or organize their own employment. They actively participate in selling the produce they produce during the day, for example by selling their harvest to middlemen. During harvest time, they often move to plantations with their parents, where they have to contribute and often do physically hard work.
There are also numerous children who do not work directly for the global market, but are nevertheless employed in informal and often precarious conditions. These children are usually active within the family and contribute to their family's livelihood. Their tasks are varied and range from herding cattle in the pastures to working in the fields. Looking after younger siblings is also often one of their duties. Other activities include fetching water or selling snacks and small items on the streets of their communities.
According to ILO estimates, 70 out of 100 child laborers - a total of around 107 million - work in agriculture, forestry and fishing. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that around three quarters of this work is unpaid in family households, often as a result of extreme poverty. Every year, around 22,000 children die in work-related accidents, with agriculture being the third most dangerous sector after construction and mining. Despite a slight global decline in child labor between 2012 and 2016, the number in agriculture increased by ten million (around 12 percent), and COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation by leading to an increase in child labor. These figures illustrate the alarming situation in this sector.
The statistics are followed by the service sector with around 31.4 million and industry with around 16.5 million children affected. These figures not only highlight the prevalence of child labor in different sectors of the economy, but also the need to find sustainable solutions that promote both the protection of children and support for families in need. Every child has the right to education and a safe environment; it is therefore crucial that we work together to uphold these rights and combat child labor in a sustainable way.
Child labor poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of millions of children worldwide. In quarries and on plantations, these children are exposed to harmful dusts and pesticides that can potentially cause long-term illnesses. Physical overexertion, often associated with the nature of the work, can lead to serious postural damage, while chronic fatigue severely impairs the ability to concentrate. According to reports from the International Labor Organization (ILO), around 22,000 children die each year as a result of accidents at work.
In addition, the mental health of these children is severely endangered by violence and abuse. Many experience physical abuse, starvation or sexual assault, which leads to deep psychological trauma. These experiences can not only cause lasting damage to the children's self-confidence, but in extreme cases can also lead to suicidal tendencies. An alarming third of working children have no access to school, which significantly limits their chances of a better future and perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
Exploitation through child labor not only perpetuates poverty in the families affected, but also inhibits a country's economic growth due to a lack of qualified workers. The illegal economy benefits enormously from these circumstances; a particularly striking example is the coltan business in Congo, where armed groups control the mining industry and thus stand in the way of regulated and sustainable development. The international IT industry is directly affected by this exploitation, as coltan is a necessary raw material for the production of laptops and smartphones.
To ensure sustainable progress, it is essential to take decisive action against these practices. Everyone, regardless of age or background, should have access to education and healthy living conditions. Only through collective efforts can we help to ensure that child labor is finally a thing of the past and that children's rights are protected worldwide.
The legal situation regarding child labor is actually clear: it is prohibited in most countries around the world. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines it as work that is dangerous, requires too many hours or is performed by children who are too young. The German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) also refers to child labor. The European Directive (CSDDD) also covers other children's rights such as health, education, decent living conditions, protection from exploitation, sexual abuse, abduction and child trafficking.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989 and entered into force on September 2, 1990, thirty days after ratification by the twentieth member state. The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 196 states, making it the most widely signed UN convention. The signatory states include not only all UN member states, with the exception of the USA, but also non-UN members such as the Cook Islands, Niue, Palestine and the Vatican City State. It defines child labor as any employment of persons under the age of 18 that is harmful to their health or interferes with their access to school (Article 32: Protection against economic exploitation).
The most important children's rights include
International standards for the protection of children are already enshrined in the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). In particular, ILO Convention No. 138 from 1973 and ILO Convention No. 182 from 1999 set out clear regulations aimed at protecting children from exploitative work and guaranteeing their right to education.
The Minimum Age Convention No. 138, which has been ratified by 176 countries, defines a permissible starting age for employment as 15 years. However, under certain circumstances, it also allows children to engage in non-hazardous work outside of school in order to pass on knowledge over generations and contribute to food security.
ILO Convention No. 182 defines exploitative child labor as the prohibition of slavery, forced labor, child prostitution and child pornography. Hazardous work that could affect the health or safety of children is also precisely defined. Particularly critical forms such as child soldiers or hazardous work under extreme conditions are also named.
The worst forms of exploitative child labor, as defined in Article 3 of ILO Convention No. 182, include:
Work that endangers the health, safety or morals of a child is clearly defined in Article 3 of ILO Recommendation 190. This definition includes the following aspects:
a) Physical, psychological or sexual abuse: Any form of work that exposes children to such risks.
b) Work in extreme environments: This includes activities underground, under water, at dangerous heights or in confined spaces.
c) Use of dangerous machinery: Work with the potential for risk, whether through the use of dangerous machinery, equipment or tools and the carrying of heavy loads.
d) Working conditions that are hazardous to health: Activities that expose children to hazardous substances, high temperatures, excessive noise or vibrations.
e) Particularly difficult working conditions: These include long working hours, night work or isolated activities where the child is unjustifiably forced to remain on the employer's premises.
As part of the 2030 Agenda(Sustainable Development Goals, SDGS), the global community has committed to eliminating all forms of child labor by 2025 (Goal 8.7); however, this challenge remains and has increased in some regions.
In recent years, various legislative initiatives, such as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act(LkSG) in Germany and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive(Directive (EU) 2024/1760, CSDDD) as well as the Forced Labor Regulation(Regulation (EU) 2024/3015, FLR) at EU level, have introduced important measures to combat child labor in supply chains.
The Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which came into force in Germany on January 1, 2023, obliges companies in Germany to comply with human rights and environmental due diligence obligations along their entire supply chain. This includes the obligation to identify risks relating to human rights and the environment, to take measures to avert or minimize these risks and to report on their own efforts.
The CSDDD came into force on July 25, 2024, twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The aim of this directive is to establish a uniform due diligence system within the European Union. This regulation addresses a variety of human rights and environmental issues, including in particular the critical area of child labor (Part I Section 1 No. 8-10 of the Annex).
The EU Forced Labor Regulation (FLR), which is expected to apply from the end of 2027, also plays an important role. It is intended to combat forced labor, including forced child labor, in global supply chains and establish clear rules and measures to prevent exploitation and forced labor. Companies must report transparently on their suppliers and their working conditions. The regulation sets standards and sanctions to protect workers' rights.
The interaction of these laws is intended to ensure that companies in Germany and the EU implement comprehensive measures to combat child labor and other human rights violations. By harmonizing regulations and introducing stricter compliance standards, companies are expected to take on greater responsibility and adapt their business strategies accordingly.
Significance of the LkSG in combating child labor
Risk management is a central component of the LkSG. Companies must identify and assess potential risks of child labor within their supply chains (§ 2 para. 2 no. 2 LkSG). This is done through regular risk analyses and assessments, whereby child labor is considered one of the main human rights violations.
Based on the risk assessments, companies are obliged to take appropriate measures to reduce the likelihood and impact of child labor. This includes the development and implementation of prevention programs, the training of suppliers and the introduction of control mechanisms.
The LkSG requires the establishment of grievance mechanisms that enable affected persons, including children and their representatives, to report violations. This creates a basis for affected children and stakeholders to raise concerns about child labor and demand remedial action.
A report by Save the Children highlights the challenges that companies face in combating human rights violations such as child labor. In many cases, individual support fails to materialize as companies are often not sufficiently informed about incidents. Risk analyses or audits can fail because suppliers deliberately prepare for inspections and conceal existing problems. The report emphasizes that functioning grievance mechanisms are often inefficient. Affected children are dependent on their income and therefore see no incentive to report grievances. Even if employees raise concerns after a factory inspection, there is usually no appropriate response. Companies often resort to short-term measures to avoid reputational damage. However, these approaches often result in problems being shifted to less transparent areas of the supply chain. In addition, there is often a lack of financial resources for sustainable, child rights-oriented support.
Child labor is a pressing problem worldwide that poses both moral and legal challenges. Companies need to address the fact that their supply chains could potentially be involved in child labor. It is therefore essential that companies take action to eliminate child labor and promote sustainable and responsible business practices.
An effective due diligence program is a crucial step in the fight against child labor. Here are key measures that companies can take:
Cooperation with relevant partners is essential. Companies should actively cooperate with NGOs, government agencies and other organizations to combat child labour:
Regular and transparent reporting is essential:
Raising the awareness of all those involved can raise awareness of the problem of child labor:
Combating child labor requires a holistic approach that includes robust due diligence programs, collaboration with relevant partners, transparent reporting and training. These measures not only strengthen a company's social responsibility, but also contribute to achieving a sustainable business strategy. Acting responsibly not only enhances a company's image, but also ensures long-term success and credibility on a global level.
Technology has the potential to bring about profound changes in the way companies monitor their supply chains and identify risks. It enables unprecedented transparency and efficiency, making it easier to track raw materials and products. This is crucial in the fight against child labor, as it allows problematic working conditions to be uncovered and addressed more quickly.
Supply chain management software solutions are essential for monitoring the origin and processing of materials. They provide tools to gain detailed insights into every stage of the supply chain. By automating data analysis and real-time reporting, companies can identify potential risks and take action before problems escalate. These technologies help companies meet the requirements of regulations such as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which aims to enforce human rights and environmental standards.
Whistleblowing systems are another technological tool that helps companies to identify internal and external grievances at an early stage. With a platform such as the Hintbox, which our software offers, employees can anonymously report violations of labor rights, including child labor. Such systems promote a transparent corporate culture and strengthen employee trust by guaranteeing anonymity and protection against reprisals. This encourages more people to report grievances, allowing companies to respond more quickly and take preventative action.
While technology helps in monitoring and detecting abuses, it also plays an important role in addressing the root causes of child labor - such as lack of access to education. Digital education platforms can significantly improve access to education in remote or disadvantaged communities. Through the use of e-learning tools and online courses, children who are forced to work due to economic constraints can take advantage of educational opportunities that would otherwise be denied to them. In this way, these platforms contribute to the long-term reduction of child labor by offering children alternatives and future prospects.
The role of technology in the fight against child labor is diverse and effective. By using software solutions to optimize supply chain transparency and the use of whistleblowing systems, companies can take proactive action against abuses. In addition, digital platforms have the potential to make education more accessible and thus make a significant contribution to combating the causes of child labor.
Child labor remains a serious global problem that robs millions of children of their childhood, their health and their education. In this article, we have outlined the most important points: Child labor often arises from poverty, inadequate legislation and lack of access to education. Economic constraints force families to make their children work instead of sending them to school.
It is clear that tackling this problem requires a society-wide effort. All actors - from governments to businesses to individuals - must work together to reform the structures that enable child labor. Governments must enact and enforce robust laws, while educational and social programs must be strengthened to provide families with an alternative to child labor.
Companies can do their bit by checking their supply chains for child labor and implementing measures to improve working conditions. Transparency and responsible sourcing are important steps in the right direction.
Individuals can also get involved by consciously buying products from companies that are committed to combating child labor. Raising awareness and supporting initiatives and organizations dedicated to this issue are other ways to become active.
Ultimately, child labor can only be effectively combated if everyone does their part to eliminate the conditions that promote it. Collective action is the key to ending child labor in all parts of the world.
Everything you need to know about child labor
Child labor is a complex problem caused by economic, educational and socio-cultural factors. The main causes include poverty and a lack of social security systems, a lack of access to education and educational facilities as well as social norms and traditions.
Poverty forces families to rely on their children's income, as adults often have insufficient income and no access to social security systems. In crisis situations, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or after natural disasters, this emergency situation is exacerbated.
Lack of access to education and poor quality of education increase the likelihood of child labor. In many regions, there is a lack of financial resources for school fees and learning materials. Class sizes are often overcrowded and teaching staff are inadequately trained.
Traditions and social norms can push children to work, especially in cultures where children are seen as cheap labor. Discrimination makes access to education and basic rights more difficult, which increases child labor.
Child labor occurs worldwide. Poor regions and crisis areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East, are particularly affected. The rate is also high in unstable states and among refugees.
In Germany, the employment of children is comprehensively regulated and largely prohibited under the Youth Employment Protection Act. However, there are worrying individual cases of exploitative work, particularly in the context of human trafficking and illegal employment conditions.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing are the sectors most affected. However, the fashion industry, the extraction of raw materials such as mica and the production of consumer goods such as coffee and cocoa are also affected.
Child labor endangers the health and safety of the children concerned, impairs their education and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. It also harms the economic development of countries, as it restricts qualified future workers in education and development.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) represent international standards that regulate the protection of children and the prohibition of exploitative labor. They are crucial in the fight against child labor.
The Minimum Age Convention No. 138, ratified by 176 countries, stipulates that the minimum permissible age for employment is 15 years. Under certain conditions, however, it allows children to carry out non-hazardous work outside school hours in order to pass on knowledge and secure food supplies.
ILO Convention No. 182 prohibits exploitative child labor, including slavery, forced labor, child prostitution, child pornography and hazardous work that endangers the health or safety of children.
Hazardous working conditions include activities involving physical, mental or sexual abuse, work in extreme environments, the use of dangerous machinery, working conditions that are harmful to health and difficult working conditions such as long working hours or night work.
As part of the 2030 Agenda, the global community committed to eliminating all forms of child labor by 2025. The 2030 Agenda is a global action plan for sustainable development.
Since January 1, 2023, the LkSG has required companies in Germany to comply with human rights and environmental due diligence obligations along their entire supply chain. This includes identifying and minimizing human rights and environmental risks, including child labor.
The CSDDD is an EU-wide directive that obliges companies to introduce a uniform due diligence system to uphold human rights and environmental standards. It came into force on July 25, 2024.
Grievance mechanisms give affected persons, including children, the opportunity to report violations and demand remedial action. This plays a crucial role in combating child labor.
Companies should conduct risk assessments, implement reliable mechanisms, offer fair wages and enter into partnerships to combat child labor. They should also consider transparent reporting and supplier training.
Technologies provide transparency in the supply chain, enable the detection of abuses through whistleblower systems and promote access to education for children in disadvantaged regions through digital platforms.