As featured on BusinessMirror: The voices of working children: Understanding the reality of child labor
On a rainy Monday morning, a young boy boards a bus carrying a basket of rice cakes, calling out “Puto, suman, sapin-sapin kayo diyan!” as he moves through the aisle. He appears to be no older than eight years old.
This reflects a reality where, while many children spend their time in school and with their families, others work at an early age to help support themselves or their households. For these children, responsibilities begin much earlier than they should.
Child labor extends beyond economic hardship; it is fundamentally a human rights issue that can perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality across generations.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) defines child labor as work performed by children, defined as any person under the age of 18, who is too young for the task or work that is inherently hazardous to their health, safety, or moral development. It is critical to differentiate child labor from activities that can positively contribute to a child’s growth, for example, light housework or taking on a summer job while school is out. These types of tasks help children develop skills and responsibility.
However, child labor crosses the line into exploitation when it jeopardizes a child’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being. At its worst, it can amount to actual slavery, including the buying and selling of children. In many places, children are trafficked to forcibly recruited into armed conflict, used in the production and trafficking of drugs, or offered into prostitution.
According to the latest data from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, 138 million children worldwide were engaged in child labor in 2024. A staggering 61 percent worked in agriculture, while 27 percent toiled in the services sector, including domestic labor and market selling. Another 13 percent worked in industries such as mining and manufacturing; jobs often fraught with hazards.
According to the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA), the Philippines has a declining rate of working children. In 2024, the number of working children dropped to 861,000, down from 1.09 million in 2023. Male children comprised 61.8 percent of this group, a consistent trend over the years. Children engaged in scavenging trash to sell, working as vendors, house helpers, and other similar roles contribute significantly to the service sector, which employs the largest share of working children at 50.4 percent. This is followed by the agriculture sector, accounting for 40.7 percent, where children toil as farmhands on fields, participate in livestock raising, and work in fisheries. The industry sector, particularly in mining and construction, employs 8.9 percent of working children. These declines reflect ongoing efforts to combat child labor and promote education and better opportunities for youth. Continued collaboration and proactive measures are essential to sustain this positive trend and further safeguard the rights of children in the future.
The Philippines also has established a strong legal and policy framework to combat child labor, particularly its worst forms such as hazardous work, trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation. Key legislations include the Anti-Child Labor Law (RA 9231), which prohibits the employment of children under 15 years old except under limited circumstances, restricts hazardous work, and protects children's access to education. This is
complemented by Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610), the Labor Code of the Philippines, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208), which provide additional safeguards against child exploitation.
Government-led initiatives further support these efforts. The Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) serves as the national framework for prevention and intervention, while Sagip Batang Manggagawa (SBM) rescues children from dangerous working conditions. Programs such as the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) address the root causes of child labor through education, livelihood assistance, and social protection. In addition, the Philippines also upholds international commitments through the ratification of key ILO conventions aimed at eliminating child labor in all its forms.
Alongside government efforts, businesses have a vital role to play in the fight against child labor. While governments establish laws and policies to protect children, companies are responsible for ensuring that their operations and supply chains are free from child labor and other human rights violations. One of the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is the effective abolition of child labor. Association with child labor can lead to reputational risks and damage for businesses. Taking proactive action against child labor not only protects children's rights but also responds to the growing expectations of investors, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders for responsible business conduct.
In 2024, the European Commission launched the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive that promotes sustainable and responsible operations across the supply chain. This includes environmental impact, labor rights violations, and human rights issues. Through effective human rights due diligence, supplier screening, and ongoing monitoring, organizations can identify areas where child labor risks may exist and implement measures to prevent and address them. Awareness and training programs for employees, suppliers, and business partners further strengthen responsible labor practices and help build a culture of accountability throughout the value chain. As ESG and sustainability considerations become increasingly important, businesses are expected to demonstrate a commitment to ethical and transparent operations.
R.G. Manabat & Co. is committed to maintaining strong human rights standards throughout our operations and business relationships. We ensure that our operations, as well as our partners, clients, vendors, and the entire supply chain, adhere to ethical business practices that safeguard children and prevent any form of harm. Through ESG services, we also empower other organizations to adopt the same high ethical standards. These collective efforts help foster an environment where children’s rights, well-being, and development are protected.
Together, let us create a world that is livable. A place where children are free to explore, play, and enjoy life as they move toward a brighter future.
© 2026 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
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This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or R.G. Manabat & Co.