Government, employers, workers and the ILO join forces through football to show the Red Card to Child Labour in Mexico

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Mexico City (ILO News) - Wearing different colours but united by a common purpose-and driven by the conviction that ending child labour requires the commitment of society as a whole-the three constituents of the International Labour Organization (ILO) came together through the "Red Card to Child Labour" Tripartite Friendly Football Tournament, an initiative that used the power of sport to strengthen social dialogue and raise awareness about child labour.

The tournament took place at Grupo Modelo's football facility in Mexico City and featured four teams: one representing the ILO; one representing the government sector, composed of the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS) and the Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR); one representing employers, made up of the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX) and the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico (CONCAMIN); and one representing workers, comprising the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), the Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM) and the National Union of Workers (UNT).

The event included an opening ceremony, friendly matches and an awards ceremony in an atmosphere of respect, collaboration and fair play. Beyond the sporting results, the tournament demonstrated that governments, employers' and workers' organizations, together with the ILO, can work side by side in support of a shared cause and send a clear message: children belong in school, not at work.

The tournament formed part of the ILO's Red Card to Child Labour campaign, which encourages governments, employers' and workers' organizations, enterprises, athletes and the general public to demonstrate their opposition to child labour and renew their commitment to its prevention and elimination.

According to the latest ILO and UNICEF estimates, 138 million children are engaged in child labour worldwide, including 54 million in hazardous work. In Mexico, the 2022 National Child Labour Survey (ENTI) estimates that 3.7 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 are engaged in child labour.

Through initiatives such as this, the ILO and its constituents reaffirm that social dialogue, cooperation and the commitment of all sectors are essential to building a future in which no child has to work.