Child labor cases drop 38.5 percent – DOLE

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March 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Child labor cases decreased by 38.5 percent, from 828,000 in 2022 to 509,000 in 2024, according to data released yesterday by the Department of Labor and Employment.

The DOLE attributed the drop to government efforts and the implementation of a “whole-of-society” approach to addressing child labor.

The department reported that 319,000 children have been withdrawn from child labor over the past three years through coordinated interventions involving government agencies and partner organizations.

Despite the decline, DOLE said poverty remains the primary driver of child labor.

To address this, the government has provided livelihood assistance to families, with more than 47,000 parents and guardians receiving starter kits under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

The DOLE emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to further reduce child labor cases.

“No single person, organization or sector can address the issue alone. It can only be achieved through steadfast collective action,” DOLE Assistant Secretary Amuerfina Reyes said.

Programs, such as Project Angel Tree, have extended assistance to child laborers, with more than 59,000 children receiving food, clothing, hygiene kits and educational materials from donors since 2022.

The DOLE encouraged the public to report cases of child labor through the Makabata Helpline 1383 to ensure that children attend school and are protected from exploitation.