2008 In Focus Archive: June 12, 2008

Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli’s Statement Commemorating World Day against Child Labor

As we commemorate the World Day against Child Labor, it is important to recognize the progress that has been made and the work that is underway to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) is one of several federal agencies that are working to rescue children from exploitive labor and provide them with educational opportunities. Since 2001, projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor have rescued more than one million children worldwide from exploitive labor and empowered their families to find alternatives to exploitive child labor. Yet more remains to be accomplished as millions of children still work under hazardous and oppressive conditions.

OCFT Projects Celebrate the World Day against Child Labor

This year’s World Day against Child Labor celebration carries an important message: Education is a key antidote to child labor. This same message is at the heart of ILAB-supported efforts to eliminate exploitive child labor around the world, which seek to transform the lives of working children and children at risk by engaging them in meaningful educational alternatives.

• Learn more about how ILAB grantees will mark the World Day against Child Labor.