The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has warned that child labour in agriculture is on the rise, with further deterioration foreseen due to COVID-19. As a result, FAO is calling for a transformation in agri-food systems in order to salvage the situation.

Meanwhile, FAO attributed the surge in child labour to hunger and poverty exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, raised this alarm at the 109^th International Labour Conference high-level event.

Agriculture remains the major employer of children, accounting for more than 70% of child labour worldwide. According to FAO, an additional 4 million children were drawn into child labour in agriculture over the period 2016-2020. Out of this, an estimated 112 million boys and girls are now working in agricultural sectors, according to new figures from ILO and UNICEF.

Meanwhile, Qu indicated that most children work within their families, toiling to put food on the table. As a result, he stressed the need to address the root cause of the problem. The causes, according to him, include poverty, poor education and lack of rural infrastructure.

“Where there is hunger, there is also an increased likelihood of child labour”.

Aside existing challenges such as conflicts and natural disasters, the COVID-19 crisis is causing an unprecedented decline in economic activity and jobs losses all over the world. According to the FAO, this is hitting particularly hard on agriculture and food systems. This has already led to a surge in hunger and poverty backfiring on child labour.

Worryingly, the new ILO/UNICEF report warns that an additional nine million children might be pushed into child labour by the end of 2022.

Addressing the root causes of child labour

To address this problem, Qu underscored the need to provide decent livelihoods to smallholder farmers, and more investment in rural infrastructure. He also called for the need to put in place child labour-sensitive rural and education policies. The FAO Boss also suggested that every rural child should must have access to broadband internet and satellite television. According to him, this will provide them with an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Nevertheless, the new report clarified that not all work carried out by children is considered child labour. The report enlightens that only works considered inappropriate for a child’s age, affects children’s education, or is likely to harm their health, safety or morals qualifies as child labour. Besides, some activities may help children acquire important livelihood skills and contribute to their survival and food security.

“Yet, much of the work children carry out in agriculture is not appropriate for their age. It is often hazardous and can interfere with children’s education, and overall physical and social development”.

Furthermore, the report indicates that when children have to work long hours, their opportunity to attend school and develop their skills is limited. This is likely to interfere with their ability to access decent employment opportunities in the future.

FAO’s work on reducing child labour in agriculture

FAO supports the development of child labour-sensitive national policies and strategies for rural development in various agricultural sectors. FAO also fosters economic inclusion of rural households. It does this through social protection schemes and initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and income diversification.

Also, FAO has developed a framework to guide the integration of measures addressing child labour. This is within FAO’s programmes and work at the global, regional and country levels.