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Philippine Standard Time

Issue Paper

The Philippines is a top-tier destination for IT-BPM services. It remains one of the leaders in the global IT-BPM industry, ranking 1st in voice-related services and accounting for 13% of the global market share (Tan, 2021). The country serves as the best alternative solution for low-cost IT-intensive business processes and services with high-quality, competitive outputs, considering the country is globally recognized as one of the largest English-speaking nations.

The United Nations has declared 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. Through a resolution, member states are urged to “take immediate action and effective measures” in eradicating child labor worldwide. The International Labor Organization (2002) defines child labor as work done by children that degrades their mental, physical, social, and moral development. By performing dangerous work, the childhood, dignity, and potential contribution to society of these children are compromised. A number of indicators in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aimed at eradicating child labor (i.e., Targets 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms; and 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children). However, despite the global efforts to reduce child labor, a lot of children are still victimized by this crime.