Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?

The Philippines is creating a national road map to address child labour as part of a regional effort in Southeast Asia. This initiative comes as poverty and unstable livelihoods continue to push children into work, despite existing government measures. Analysts caution that policy changes alone are insufficient. They emphasize the need for enhanced support for vulnerable families, improved access to education, and more robust enforcement of child protection laws. Government officials were involved in discussions on September 23 and 24 regarding these efforts.