Global Commitment to Social Protection and Education Reaffirmed at UNICEF Session on Child Labour

Heidi Lim | Lao News Agency

---

(KPL) At a recent UNICEF committee session on 10 December 2025 on the topic of

eradicating child labour, delegates from all around the world reaffirmed strong social protection systems and accessible education are the most effective tools to protect children and secure sustainable development. The debate underscored a growing consensus that tackling poverty and strengthening family support are immensely essential to ensure no child is forced into work, closely aligning with Lao PDR’s own social priorities and cooperation with international partners.

Many delegations placed social protection at the heart of their approach to ending child labour. Australia stressed a human‐rights‐driven policy that avoids harsh measures and instead supports vulnerable families so that children are not pushed into labour, showing its support for a childhood grant initiative in Lao PDR as an example of how cash transfers can safeguard children’s futures. Denmark, Germany and Norway similarly emphasised that poverty is a primary driver of child labour and called for comprehensive social protection

programmes, greater transparency and ethical policies to ensure that no child is

disadvantaged. Kenya, Russia and Zimbabwe added that social protection and financial assistance, including cash funds and technical support, are crucial to help families meet basic needs while enforcing child protection laws.

Education emerged as the second pillar of the global strategy against child labour. Canada described education as the most powerful tool to end child labour, advocating for cash transfers, micro‐financing and sustained international cooperation to keep children in school. Meanwhile, China, Bangladesh, India and Yemen highlighted measures such as financial subsidies, free textbooks, fee waivers, and safe learning environments to improve educational access for disadvantaged children, echoing UNICEF’s emphasis on removing financial and

physical barriers to schooling. Additionally, the United States drew attention to the rise of child labour in digital spaces, arguing that strong and quality education, coupled with appropriate legal protections, is extremely crucial to prevent exploitation both offline and online.

At the same time, several delegations called for realistic and context‐sensitive solutions. Indonesia and Kazakhstan cautioned that an immediate, outright ban on all forms of child labour could harm families that depend on children’s income in the absence of viable alternatives. They advocated a regulated, phased approach that addresses root causes such as poverty and limited economic opportunities, while still condemning exploitation and unsafe work. This perspective reflects findings from the International Labour Organisation that abrupt bans on child labour can increase family hardship without alternative income sources, underscoring the need for social protection alongside enforcement.

Throughout the session, delegates also stressed that eradicating child labour is a shared responsibility of the international community. Brazil, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand and others called for closer cooperation with UNICEF and other organisations to provide technical assistance, strengthen monitoring and support national efforts to expand social protection and education systems. Many states highlighted that developed countries and international institutions have an important role to play in offering financial resources and expertise, while respecting national ownership and differing economic circumstances.

The UNICEF debate clearly showed that the global community is committed to tackling both the immediate and structural drivers of child labour through stronger social protection, accessible education and enhanced international cooperation. For Lao PDR, which is working with partners to establish the foundations of a national social protection system and pilot child‐focused cash transfer schemes, these discussions are closely aligned with national efforts to promote inclusive, people‐centred development. As collaboration with UNICEF and other friendly countries deepens, Laos is well‐placed to contribute to, and benefit from, a future in which every child can grow, learn and thrive free from exploitation.

Bibliography

“Establishing the Foundations of a National Social Protection System in Lao PDR.” United Nations, September 2, 2022. https://laopdr.un.org/en/197520-establishing-foundations-national-social-protection-system.

“Lao PDR Is Moving to Establish the Basis for Social Protection Floors.” Lao PDR is

moving to establish the basis for social protection floors | Joint SDG Fund, March 22, 2021. https://www.jointsdgfund.org/article/lao-pdr-moving-establish-basis-social-protection-floors.

“The World Pledged to End Child Labour by 2025: So Why Are 138 Million Kids Still

Working? | UN News.” United Nations, June 11, 2025. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164211.