Significant progress has been made in preventing and ending child labor in Vietnam.

(PLVN) - The 25th anniversary celebration of Action and Efforts to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on December 17, 2025, with the participation of representatives from many domestic and international agencies and departments, once again affirms Vietnam's persistent efforts in caring for and protecting children, contributing to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic and social development, in line with international labor standards.

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Vietnam's ratification of the International Labour Organization's Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor. This is a significant milestone demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to protecting children from exploitation, ensuring their rights, and further accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 – ending child labor in all its forms.

Information presented at the event indicated that since ratifying Convention No. 182 in 2000, Vietnam has made significant progress in preventing and ending child labor, including its worst forms.

Representatives from the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, presented data and activities related to the prevention and reduction of child labor at an event on December 17, 2025. (Photo by PV)

Through improving the legal framework, implementing national programs, and strengthening coordination among sectors and at all levels, Vietnam has consolidated its child protection system, expanded access to education, and enhanced monitoring of children's participation in economic activities.

A key driver of these results is the National Program on Child Labour Prevention and Reduction for the period 2021–2025, with a vision to 2030, focusing on prevention, early detection, and the development of sustainable solutions for vulnerable groups of children.

The program closely integrates child labor prevention with policies on education , poverty reduction, social security, and employment, thereby forming a comprehensive approach to protecting children's rights. Significant progress in evidence-based policymaking has been noted.

Children draw pictures of their dreams to contribute to the prevention of child labor. (Source: VGP)

Specifically, according to national surveys conducted by the General Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance with the support of the ILO, the rate of children participating in economic activities in Vietnam decreased from 9.1% in 2018 to 3.5% in 2023.

However, approximately 94,300 children are still engaged in hazardous work, and nearly 12 out of every 100 children in child labor face health risks.

“Ending child labor is not only about protecting children’s rights, but also about investing in Vietnam’s future workforce and inclusive economic growth. When children go to school and develop skills, and when adults have decent and productive jobs, the benefits will spread to families, businesses, and the entire economy. Ending child labor is a strategic investment in the value and sustainability of Vietnam’s economic future,” said Sinwon Park, ILO Country Director for Vietnam.

Furthermore, enhanced coordination among ministries, departments, and local authorities has played a crucial role. Strengthened inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms have more effectively supported labor inspections, law enforcement, and support and referral services for at-risk children.

Numerous capacity-building activities have helped improve the awareness of labor inspectors, local officials, employers, and the community regarding legal responsibilities and the importance of protecting children.

“Protecting children is a shared responsibility of families, communities, government agencies, workers, employers, and businesses. No single entity can end child labor alone. This requires the joint efforts of all parties, from strengthening social welfare policies for vulnerable families to enforcing laws and enhancing corporate responsibility. Only through collective effort can we create a solid foundation for the long-term and healthy development of future generations,” emphasized Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health.

To realize this common goal and promote the achievement of high-quality economic growth, Vietnam needs to continue to focus on protecting children's fundamental rights through integrated programs, including education and social welfare.

In the coming period, Vietnamese authorities in the field of child protection affirm that, in the context of Vietnam's increasing integration into supply chains, children in vulnerable households affected by poverty, migration, climate change, informal employment, and limited access to services will continue to be a priority group in intervention efforts.

In particular, in the context of digital transformation, new risks such as child exploitation online are emerging alongside existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, migration, and informal employment. This requires child protection systems to be able to respond effectively both online and offline, based on prevention, education, and effective law enforcement and compliance.

“Preventing child labor begins with protecting children from harmful risks, ensuring all children have access to education and social services, and providing vulnerable families with timely support to break the vicious cycle of poverty,” said Mr. Ly Phat Viet Linh, Acting Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Vietnam.

Domestic and international delegates attending the event reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Vietnam in implementing national programs to prevent and reduce child labor in the coming period. (Photo by PV)

Against the backdrop of Vietnam's development of the National Program on Preventing and Reducing Child Labour for the period 2026–2030, international organizations in Vietnam such as the ILO, UNICEF, and the United Nations in Vietnam reaffirm their commitment to supporting Vietnam in implementing national programs and strengthening the enforcement of labor and social laws.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/nhieu-buoc-tien-quan-important-trong-phong-ngua-va-cham-dut-lao-dong-tre-em-tai-viet-nam.html