A group of international experts in the field of Business and Human Rights has published a new document titled “Interpretative Note on Child Labour Prevention for Businesses 1.0”, aiming to guide companies in their efforts to prevent and address child labour across global value chains. The Note provides practical insights on how businesses can meet their obligations under the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) regulations.
The initiative calls on companies to move beyond punitive “zero tolerance” policies and instead adopt rights-based, child-centred, and transition-oriented approaches that address the root causes of child labour. It encourages businesses to strengthen children’s access to education and social protection systems, while supporting families and communities toward sustainable livelihoods.
Among the signatories of this important initiative is Dr. Pınar Kara, co-founder of Minerva BHR. Dr. Kara and other signatories emphasized that the prevention of child labour requires more than risk avoidance, it calls for proactive engagement by businesses to develop inclusive, participatory, and sustainable business models that improve the well-being of children and their families.
The Note highlights that tackling child labour sustainably means understanding the complex economic and social dynamics behind it. Rather than cutting ties with suppliers, companies are encouraged to integrate due diligence measures that prioritize children’s best interests, ensure decent work for parents and caregivers, and promote collaborative action with local stakeholders.
Anchored in key international legal frameworks—such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions 138 and 182—the Note provides actionable principles to help businesses phase out child labour responsibly.
This collective effort brings together legal practitioners, academics, consultants, and civil society representatives from multiple countries to build shared understanding and strengthen global cooperation against child labour. The initiative aims to serve as a living resource that evolves with feedback and field experience.
You can access the full text of the Note here → https://bhrj.blog/2025/02/06/child-labour-prevention-for-businesses/