Child labor in Burgenland: A global problem on our doorstep!

Child labor in Burgenland: A global problem on our doorstep!

Burgenland, Österreich - an urgent topic that has long since not only affected the remote angles of the earth is child labor. The effects of this global challenge can also be felt in Burgenland. In Austria, it is prohibited by law that children work, but products are still on our market that have been produced by children under exploitative conditions. This shows in an alarming way that consumption is directly related to the living conditions of millions of children worldwide. According to [meinzirk.at] (https://www.meinbezirk.at/burgenland/c-lokales/das-globale-problem-reicht-bis- ins-Burgenland_a7375805) around 138 million children work in dangerous situations.

The current developments related to child labor are divided into two: the numbers have decreased since 2020, and this also affects the bad conditions under which children are forced to work - however, over 54 million children are still active in dangerous work. This is a fact that affects us all and gives rise to concern. The international day against child labor, which indicates the serious grievances in many countries, is intended to help create more awareness of this topic.

supply chains and their dark sides

An important point is the EU supply chain directive (CSDDD), which should come into force from 2024 and obliges companies to observe human rights and environmental standards along their supply chains. However, a planned change proposal, which was presented in February 2025, could significantly weaken these measures. In Austria, the ban on child labor only applies to domestic companies, which means that products from countries with weak occupational safety laws are still available in this country and indirectly support child labor. This problem is from [Spiegel.de] (https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/lieferkettengesetze-und-kinder-und-kinder-------the-children- in-18-20-sub-search-notchen-a-09f2d164-fdc1-4503-BE2F-13652EB09963) illuminated where it is stated that in 18 out of 20 cases there were signs of child labor in the supply chains.

The mismatch is not only clear by the numbers, but also by the often non -transparent design of the supply chains. Most child rights violations, such as child labor, take place in the upstream stages of the supply chain, where control is often lax. The Federal Office for Economics and Export Control (BAFA) should check compliance with the law, but the focus so far is only on the direct supplier. So it can easily happen that children's rights violations are relocated to deeper levels of the supply chain without the companies being aware of their responsibility.

A call to change

What can consumers do in Burgenland? In the meantime, there are opportunities to actively act against child labor with conscious purchase decisions. The acquisition of fair trade products could set an effective sign here. These products guarantee that those involved are paid fairly and that no child labor is used. For this reason, the Catholic Jungschar Burgenland calls for an open letter to the national council: inside to support the comprehensive implementation of the EU Lief Chain Act in Austria.

In order to make a difference, transparency, fair seals and tested providers are essential for online trade. Every purchase can be a voice against child labor and make a contribution to improving the life situation of millions of children worldwide. If we have a good hand together and make our purchase decisions carefully, we can make sure that childhood is no longer shaped by many children by work, but by games and learning. Because children should dream, don't have to work.