As the ECLT Foundation reflects on a decade of commitment since 2014, we stand at a critical juncture in our mission to eradicate child labour. The journey ahead—leading to 2034—is more than a timeline; it is a strategic imperative that demands focused, collaborative action.
Strategic Priorities: A Comprehensive Approach
Our roadmap for the next ten years crystallises around three fundamental priorities that address the complex systemic challenges of child labour in agriculture:
1. Defining Prohibited Tasks for Children in Tobacco Production
The absence of a unified, sector-wide understanding of hazardous tasks for children under 18 represents a significant challenge. While 60% of companies have developed task lists by 2024, the lack of a harmonised standard undermines our collective efforts to protect vulnerable children. Our commitment is clear: we will consolidate existing guidelines and establish an industry-wide minimum standard. These are not mere administrative documents, but critical instruments that provide clarity for suppliers, growers, and workers in distinguishing between safe practices and potential child exploitation.
2. Strengthening Industry Collaboration and Standards
Child labour persists through a complex ecosystem of systemic barriers—poverty, informal work structures, limited service access, and weak labour enforcement. No single organisation can dismantle these challenges alone.
Our strategy involves:
- Creating collaborative platforms in key markets
- Providing technical assistance aligned with UN Guiding Principles
- Supporting the development of Agricultural Labour Practices (ALP) codes
- Establishing robust grievance mechanisms
By building capabilities, fostering trust, and creating enabling environments, we aim to drive sustainable change across the agricultural sector.
3. Addressing Living Income as a Fundamental Solution
Poverty and child labour are inextricably linked. When farming households cannot secure a stable income, children often become an economic necessity. Recognising this, eight out of eleven Pledge signatories have identified living income as a critical priority.
Our approach will:
- Define living income within specific contextual frameworks
- Align measurement methodologies
- Develop practical tools and training materials
- Implement a 'smart mix' of strategies tailored to tobacco-growing communities
Success depends on collective, cross-sector collaboration that ensures measurable and sustainable progress.
A Call to Transformative Action
The commitment to eliminating child labour is not new, but the coming decade demands unprecedented ambition, acceleration, and depth of collaboration. The ECLT Foundation is prepared not just to lead but to support the fundamental transformation needed. Our roadmap is rights-based, data-driven, and partnership-oriented—designed to create lasting change for children, families, and communities.
The next ten years will define the future for millions. We have no time to waste.