UN Holidays - World Day Against Child Labor

World Day Against Child Labor, celebrated since 2002, was established by the International Labor Organization (ILO), which is part of the UN that deals with labor relations issues Conferences on her initiative, held in 1997, were devoted to child exploitation, the most negative manifestations The topics raised contributed to the understanding that the situation is too serious and requires maximum public attention Any child labor that goes against the interests of the child and affects the quality of life must be eliminated The “youngest” should study, play, eat well, and receive basic care This is how the UN sees the life of a child as a member of society Very often, manufacturers take advantage of cheap labor Developed countries have long ago adopted an international convention on the minimum age of young workers But it’s not even a matter of age, but the voluntary nature of child labor There is a difference when a teenager, on his own initiative, goes to work on a desired gadget, and for a legal, light job It’s completely different when it’s a harsh daily reality, a chance to survive It is terrible when children have no choice, as was the case, for example, with Iqbal Masih This 4-year-old Pakistani child was sold by his own mother for debt to work hard in a textile factory Beatings, hunger, betrayal by the police, whom he managed to turn to once, but not despair - this is how his life up to 10 years can be characterized The second attempt to escape was successful - he was helped by the volunteer organization BLLF, of which he later became a member, actively speaking out and calling for a fight against the phenomenon of child labor His dedication helped save several thousand children, but Iqbal was shot dead in 1995 He was only 12 years old at that time His short life is further proof that we must fight such evil, which is unacceptable in modern society According to the latest data, the fight against exploiters and the level of poverty that pushes parents to inhumane acts will still be a long one The number of working children of unacceptable age is 215 million, and half work in conditions that not every adult can withstand And the mortality rate, of course, is very high Many children are enslaved and involved in criminal schemes such as prostitution Credibility and suggestibility are used by prohibited religious organizations, turning children into combatants or domestic servants The ILO, together with countries (187 as of today) that share its principles, have set the task of eliminating all manifestations of illegal exploitation After all, even domestic work can be turned into inhumane slavery It is not for nothing that every year on the special day of June 12, different main topics are chosen to emphasize the globality and versatility of the threats The government and public organizations hold events of a wide variety of nature, from exhibitions to sports competitions, with one goal - to inform as many people as possible The media are actively involved, flash mobs, seminars, and mass events are organized They provide real support - raising funds to support minor victims of forced exploitation The public can and should help this important issue And World Day June 12 is a good reason to join the fight against child labor