Malaysia’s role in ending child labour
BY: FADHILAH RAIHAN LOKMAN
Since its launch in 2002 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Day Against Child Labour has reminded us that millions of children globally are still being denied their rights. Despite decades of advocacy, this issue remains prevalent, particularly in Southeast Asia, where children from rural, marginalised, and low-income communities are often forced out of school and into hazardous, unregulated work to survive.
As Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair in 2025, Malaysia has a pivotal opportunity to prioritise child protection within the regional agenda. This is not an unfamiliar issue—instances of child labour have been reported within our boarders, particularly in Sabah’s palm oil plantations, where children work informally alongside their parents, risking their physical safety, health, and education.
A Crisis We Cannot Ignore
According to the ILO, 160 million children were involved in child labour at the start of 2020.[1] In the Asia-Pacific region, the number stood at 48.7 million, with two-thirds of them being boys.[2] While this marks a decrease from 62.1 million in 2016[3], a serious gap remains: there is no recent or reliable data specific to ASEAN. The absence of updated information suggests that the issue is not being adequately tracked or prioritised.
Child labour is more prevalent in rural and informal settings such as agriculture, fisheries, and family-run services. Many children serve as unpaid family workers and are excluded from formal records. This often leads to school dropouts, depriving children not only their right to education but also of the opportunity for a brighter future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened these vulnarabilities. The Asian Development Bank estimated that 4.7 million people in Southeast Asia fell into extreme poverty during the pandemic.[4] Many children left school during lockdowns, and some never returned, increasing their exposure to labour exploitation.
Are Leaders Listening to Children?
ASEAN has acknowledged the issue of child labour through various declarations and frameworks, but acknowledgement alone is not enough. What is urgently needed is decisive action.
On 15 May 2025, a promising step was taken when children and youth from across Southeast Asia participated in the 2nd Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia).[5] This meeting provided a platform for children to raise concerns about labour exploitation, violence, and discrimination.
Their message was clear: they want inclusive policies, youth participation in decision-making, and stronger protections. As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia must ensure that this input actively informs policy development and implementation—not just serve as symbolic inclusion.
What Malaysia Can Do
Malaysia can take several key steps to lead the regional fight against child labour.
First, it should embed child protection measures into ASEAN’s post-2025 vision. As the country steering this discussions, Malaysia has a unique opportunity to align child protection with broader priorities such as education, digital transformation, and labour rights. A truly people-centred ASEAN must prioritise the well-being of its youngest citizens.
Second, Malaysia should spearhead improvements in data collection and monitoring.Timely and accurate data is essential for effective intervention. By enhancing its own data systems and advocating for coordinated ASEAN-wide efforts, Malaysia can help identify where children are most at risk—particularly in rural and informal economies.
Third, institutionalising youth participation is essental. The May 2025 dialogue between ASEAN leaders and children was a critical milestone, but it should not be a one-off event. Malaysia should establish permanent platforms where children and young people are regularly consulted on issues affecting them.
Additionally, tackling child labour requires strong cross-sector collaboration.Governments, civil society organisations, businesses, and educational institutions must work together to address the root causes such as migration, poverty, limited access to education, and weak enforcement of labour laws.
Malaysia can lead by example. One promising initiative is the Child Rights Action Hub, launched under the MY Voice initiative[6] on last year’s World Day Against Child Labour. Focused on the palm oil supply chain, it has raised awareness and built local capacity to prevent child labour. Such models should be scaled across ASEAN and expanded to other high-risk sectors.
Laws Exist, But Gaps Remain
All ASEAN countries have ratified ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and Convention 138 on Minimum Age.[7] These agreements ban hazardous work for those under 18 and set a minimum age of 15 for general employment. However, enforcement remains inconsistent.
Child labour continues to thrive in sectors with poor monitoring, light penalties, and limited access to education. These gaps create an environment where child labour not only persists but is perpetuated.
Child labour is not just a social issue, but a clear violation of human rights and sympton of broader inequality. As ASEAN moves toward a more inclusive and sustainable future, economic progress must not come at the cost of children’s safety, education, or dignity.
Malaysia’s leadership in 2025 presents an opportunity to act. By placing children at the heart of the ASEAN agenda, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive—free from exploitation.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman is a Lecturer at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University.
[1] https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/child-labour-rises-160-million-%E2%80%93-first-increase-two-decades
[2] https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/The-ASEAN-Issue-22-Children-First-digital-version.pdf
[3] https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/9356/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-Child-labour-schooling-India-Report-2024.pdf
[4] https://www.adb.org/news/covid-19-pushed-4-7-million-more-people-southeast-asia-extreme-poverty-2021-countries-are-well
[5] https://aichr.org/news/joint-press-release-the-2nd-interface-meeting-between-the-asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights-aichr-and-child-rights-coalition-asia-including-children-and-youth-and-repres/
[6] https://www.childrights-business.org/impact/the-my-voice-child-rights-action-hub-officially-launches-in-malaysia
[7] https://theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/asean-continues-to-fight-against-child-labour/#:~:text=All%20ASEAN%20Member%20States%20have,work%20has%20completed%20compulsory%20education.