The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on lives and livelihoods around the world. The subsequent socio-economic fallouts of the pandemic have had a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of children who are victims of child labour, in particular, the United Nations has observed.

As nations across the globe observe the World Against Child Labour Day on June 12, a report published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of the UN states, "The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide — an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years," attributing the rise to the pandemic.  Addressing the need to put an end to the evil practice, the theme for the year is "Act Now: End Child Labour".