#Japan #Tokyo #ChildLabor #CL-Net #ILO

Advocating for an End to Child Labor

On June 12, an important gathering titled "When Will We See Zero Child Labor?" will take place in the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives in Japan. This meeting, organized by the Child Labor Network (CL-Net), will coincide with the World Day Against Child Labor. It seeks to convene various stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and private sector representatives, to discuss actionable steps that can be taken to alleviate this pressing issue.

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), target 8.7 states that child labor should be eradicated by 2025. However, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has predicted that this goal will not be met, with an estimated 160 million children engaged in child labor worldwide as of 2020. On the same day of this gathering, ILO will release its new estimates on child labor, shedding light on the current situation and trends.

This event invites public participation alongside media representatives, emphasizing the importance of collective action in combating child labor. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and panel sessions featuring insights from ILO representatives, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), corporations like Lotte, and various NGOs at the forefront of combating child labor.

Event Details

Date and Time:

• - Date: June 12, 2025
• - Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Doors open at 11:45 AM)

Venue:

• - Location: International Conference Room, First Members' Office Building, House of Representatives, 2-2-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo

Agenda:

• - Opening Session (12:00 PM - 12:25 PM)

- Greetings from CL-Net chairman, ILO parliamentary group head, UNICEF parliamentary group
- Remarks from distinguished guests including the Ghanaian Ambassador to Japan and Japanese officials
- Photo session

• - Main Session (12:25 PM - 1:10 PM)

- Overview of global child labor issues and ILO's perspective on the current state and challenges
- Panel discussion focused on the roles of citizens, businesses, and government in addressing child labor in Africa
- Q&A from parliament members

• - Closing Session (1:10 PM - 2:00 PM)

- Relay talks from representatives of various entities, including embassies and NGOs
- Open floor discussion
- Closing remarks

Participation:

Individuals interested in attending, including members of the media and the general public, are encouraged to register in advance using the provided forms. This aligns with CL-Net's commitment to transparency and public engagement in the fight against child labor.

To register, please complete the form found at: Registration Form

Stop Child Labor Campaign:

In conjunction with this event, CL-Net is also conducting a "Stop Child Labor Campaign" from May 15 to June 30. This initiative allows participants to express disapproval of child labor through a "Red Card Action". By posting a photo holding a red card on social media, a donation of 100 yen will be made to NGOs working to eliminate child labor for each image shared. More details can be found at the special campaign site: Stop Child Labor Campaign

About CL-Net

CL-Net, or the Child Labor Network, is a consortium of NGOs and labor unions in Japan focused on raising awareness and seeking solutions for the global child labor crisis. Their initiatives are critical in shaping public policy and mobilizing support for affected children.

For more information, please contact:

• - CL-Net Contact Person: Sugiyama
• - Email: info@cl-net.org
• - Phone: 03-3835-7555 (In-house reception hours: Weekdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
• - Website: CL-Net