Alongside the Independence Day celebration on June 12, the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) also joined the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) commemoration as a member agency of the National Council Against Child Labor (NCACL) Secretariat.

This year, the WDACL’s international theme focused on advancing the abolition of child labor to achieve social justice, dubbed “Social Justice For All. End Child Labour!” The Philippine commemoration adopted the theme, “Buong bansa, lahat ng bata, sama-sama para sa Batang Malaya.” For its part, ILS launched an awareness-raising campaign for its employees and stakeholders through various platforms.

The Workers Welfare Research Division, in collaboration with ILS-Employees Association, conducted a film showing with the title “Alagwa,” which depicted the realities of child labor and human trafficking issues and how children fall victim to these social ills. A photo booth with campaign slogans was also available for ILS employees, interns, and outsourced personnel after the film showing.

ILS also contributed by providing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials online, including the adoption of a quick link to the official website of Batang Malaya available on the ILS page; cross-posting of announcements on its official social media page; and posting of advocacy materials online, particularly highlighting ILS’ research papers and studies on child labor.

The commemoration was concluded with the conduct of a culminating activity by the NCACL chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment, held on June 23, at the Buena Park Sports Complex, Caloocan City. The highlights of the event included the signing of the Pledge of Commitment on the Philippine Program Against Child Labor Strategic Framework 2023 to 2028, and the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Makabata Helpline between the Council of the Welfare of Children and DOLE. The Batang Malaya Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System website was also launched during the event.

ILS participates annually in this commemoration that brings together governments, employers and workers’ organizations, civil society, and other relevant institutions, in addressing the plight of child laborers and combatting all forms of child labor around the world.