Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?
Por Sam Beltran — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement The Philippines This Week in Asia People Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?
As Manila puts together a new road map to end child labour by 2028, analysts warn policies alone cannot overcome poverty
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Sam Beltran Published: 6:33pm, 9 Oct 2026 The Philippines is developing a national road map to combat child labour as part of a broader push across Southeast Asia, where poverty and insecure livelihoods continue to drive children into work despite government efforts to stamp out the practice.
But analysts warn that policy commitments alone will not be enough without stronger support for vulnerable families, better access to education and more effective enforcement of child protection laws.
On September 23 and 24, government officials, civil society groups and welfare organisations gathered in Manila to help draft the road map and reaffirm their commitment to ending child labour and human trafficking.
The move comes a year after the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment expressed its interest in becoming an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country.
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