ZDF: “Millions of children continue to be exploited”
In light of today’s World Day Against Child Labor, ZDF calls for stronger action against child labor worldwide:
1. Dramatic delays in meeting the UN target by 2025
Despite a global decline from an estimated 160 million to the current 138 million working children by the end of 2024, the UN goal of ending child labor worldwide remains a distant prospect. According to UNICEF, the fight against extremely exploitative child labor threatens to continue for “decades” unless the pace of change accelerates significantly.
2. Hidden exploitation – not only in agriculture and quarries
Child labor is by no means only visible or measurable: Millions are employed in households or service sectors – often unpaid, poorly protected, and far from state control. Twelve-year-old Adama from Sierra Leone, for example, has to toil in a quarry under the harshest conditions – for less than two euros a day.
3. Criticism of Europe
XertifiX co-founder and board member Benjamin Pütter denounces the EU in the ZDF:
“The EU has a massive problem with exploitative child labor in its supply chains.”
He points to estimates that products worth €50 billion are imported into the EU annually that involve massive exploitation of minors. Pütter also warns against further weakening the Supply Chain Act – that would be “a slap in the face to millions upon millions of children.”
Conclusion of today’s day against child labor:
- The UN target remains significantly missed – a structural rethink and rapid action are urgently needed.
- Child labor is often hidden, for example, in households or informal sectors of the economy, but the suffering is real and widespread.
- Europe – especially the EU – must recognize its role, act responsibly, and strengthen legal requirements such as the Supply Chain Act.