Protection
Child labor in Morocco is continuously declining, but it still remains worrying. Nearly 101,000 children are affected, including 62,000 children exposed to dangerous work. The National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE) is launching a national campaign to fight against child labor and promote their fundamental rights.
On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labor, the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE) is launching the national campaign “Stop Child Labor” intended to strengthen the mobilization of all citizens for the protection of children and their rights. Child labor constitutes a violation of the fundamental rights of the child, and first of all their right to education, their right to protection and their right to development, as guaranteed by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by Morocco, indicates the Observatory in a press release. In recent years, significant progress has been made. Child labor fell by 8.2% compared to 2023 and by 59.1% compared to 2017.
Despite these efforts, the phenomenon persists: nearly 101,000 children aged 7 to 17 are still engaged in economic activity, a rate reduced to 1.3% (according to data provided by the HCP in 2024), of which 62,000 are exposed to dangerous work, and 87.7% have left school, making child labor one of the main causes of school dropouts in Morocco. As part of this campaign, several audiovisual capsules dedicated to raising awareness of child labor were developed by ONDE. Inspired by situations observed in daily life, these capsules show realities that are sometimes ignored or trivialized and invite everyone to question the role they can play in protecting children and preserving their rights. The first capsule was broadcast on June 12, 2026 on ONDE’s national channels and digital platforms.
The others will follow during the month of June on social networks. At the same time, ONDE is starting a series of training courses at the national level intended for community relays in partnership with the INDH to develop the capacities of families to protect their children. Through this campaign, ONDE reaffirms its commitment to a society where every child is protected, listened to and supported. ONDE reminds that child protection is a collective responsibility: any citizen can report anonymously and free of charge any situation violating the rights of the child by contacting 2511, ONDE’s toll-free number, by going to the 2.511.ma platform or through the dedicated application. Recall that for the eradication of child labor by 2030, Morocco has put in place an action plan which aims at two main objectives, namely the eradication of child labor under the age of 15, with particular emphasis on the agricultural sector and the gradual elimination of the employment of minors aged 16 to 18 in hazardous work by 2030. This plan is structured around three strategic axes, namely the acceleration the prevention of child labor, through the fight against poverty, school dropout, the acquisition of professional skills as well as information and awareness. Also included is the consolidation of regulations and strengthening of control.
At the global level, according to the latest published estimates from the ILO and UNICEF, this phenomenon affects nearly 138 million children and 54 million of them have carried out dangerous work likely to endanger their health, safety and development. Agriculture remains the most affected sector accounting for 61% of all child labor cases, followed by services, such as domestic work and selling goods in markets, (27%) and industry, including mining and manufacturing, (13%).
