The Department of Employment and Labour in a partnership with various government departments, civil society, social partners, and communities is organising a day to reaffirm a national commitment to eliminating child labour in South Africa

The 2026 National Day Against Child Labour (NDACL) presents an opportunity to bring together social partners and key stakeholders to strengthen awareness and understanding of national policies and legal frameworks on child labour, exchange ideas, and promote collective action towards the prevention and elimination of child labour.

This year's commemoration will be hosted in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, and will highlight the importance of awareness, enforcement, education and collaboration in protecting children from child labour and promoting their rights and well-being.

The theme of the day is: “Let me be a child". The theme builds on working together and foster a declaration that we can ensure that every child is free to learn, grow, and just be a child.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. The organisation further elaborates that worst forms of child labour involve children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses, and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities.

However, ILO recognise that not all work done by children should be classified as child labour. The participation of children or adolescents above the minimum age for admission to employment in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive.

In South Africa Section 43 of Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) – prohibits employment of children under 15 years of age. A person who employs a child is in contravention of law and commits an offence.

According to the 2019 Survey of Activities of Young Persons (SAYP), approximately 571,000 children aged 7–17 were engaged in child labour in South Africa, out of 2.2 million children involved in economic activities. Many of these children, aged between 9 and 14 years, perform work that undermines their education, health, and development.

Child labour remains a deeply concerning issue in South Africa, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and domestic work.

In May 2022, South Africa hosted the 5^th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Durban, which culminated in the adoption of the “Durban Call to Action", calling for urgent and accelerated efforts by UN Member States to eliminate child labour by 2025, and forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking by 2030.

As part of the build-up activities the department is also planning a service delivery programme. The “Taking Services to the People" programme will be held as follows:

Community members are encouraged to bring along their relevant documents when coming for the services.

Bring along your ID Card/Book, UI-19 and Salary schedule, certified copy of passport document, three-month payslip and bank statement.    

The National Day Against Child Labour will be held as follows:

Date: 18 September 2026
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Mthatha Stadium 107 Errol Spring Avenue, Eastern Cape Province

NB: For media RSVP contact Eastern Cape Provincial Communication Officer Ms Cebisa Siyobi at 072 427 6034 or email: Cebisa.Siyobi@labour.gov.za

For media inquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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