UNICEF: Child Labor

Although some may believe this is a problem of the past, about 10% of children worldwide are involved in child labor today. Conditions and circumstances vary significantly, but all impacted children face time away from education, bonding with family and friends, and significant life milestones. Often, children begin their work as a result of familial financial insecurity or because of forced migration, but almost all children ultimately face harsh consequences. From abuse to dangerous working conditions and hours, children are ill-equipped to work, much less in unregulated industries. Girls face the added stress of managing homemaking while balancing employment and education, but no child should have to endure the physical and emotional pain caused by child labor. Some families require additional income from children to survive, some businesses rely on child labor to stay afloat, and some children have no way of escaping their current labor status. UNICEF specifically addresses this issue, and continues to work diligently around the world to put an end to child labor. Delegates in this committee will come to a consensus on how to safely and effectively end child labor while considering how manufacturing and factory industries can have safer work practices in the future. How will families find new sources of income other than child labor? How will your delegation ensure that every child gets an opportunity to succeed without being forced to work?