On this World Day Against Child Labour, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa, www.ituc-africa.org) joins workers’ organisations across the continent and around the world in raising a Red Card to child labour. We stand firmly with the 2026 campaign call: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.
Despite progress, 138 million children remain in child labour worldwide, including nearly 54 million in hazardous work. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry the heaviest burden, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all children in child labour, around 87 million.