A new report launched today by UNICEF UK exposes the global exploitation of children as workers, highlighting how one in twelve of the world’s children (180 million young people below 18) are involved in the worst forms of child labour – hazardous work,  slavery, forced labour, in armed forces, commercial sexual exploitation and illicit activities. 97% of these are in developing countries.

The report shows that children are driven into the world of work and exploitation by poverty and inadequate education, exacerbated by the effects of HIV/AIDS. They become vulnerable to such exploitation when the environment they live in - at a family, community and state level - has failed to protect them.

To eradicate the worst forms of child exploitation, UNICEF is calling for immediate...

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