Cher and Other Artists Support UN Agency Campaign to End Child Labour

There are 168 million child workers around the world and more than half of them are trapped in the worst forms of child labour. They work in fields， mines and factories and many are sexually abused， exploited in the drug trade or forced to join armies and militias.

“The ILO is working to free millions of these children and they can use our help，” says Cher in a video message.

The ILO launched the first Red Card campaign in 2002 to raise public awareness of child labour. Eight years later， the second Global Conference on Child Labour that took place in The Hague committed to eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016. The 152 countries that participated in the third conference that just ended in Brasilia have renewed their commitment to reach that target.

“The Red Card is a powerful image that is easily recognizable across the world as a warning that something is wrong and must stop，” said ILO chief Guy Ryder.

“As we redouble our efforts to eradicate child labour， the support of Cher， as well as other famous artists and athletes， is a vital way of mobilizing our global society so that together we can rid the world of child labour.”

Besides Cher， actors Susan Sarandon， Tim Roth， Wagner Moura， Jon Tenney， Olivia Wilde， Jason Sudeikis， Rob Morrow， Q’orianka Kilcher， Alexander Skarsg?rd and Demián Bichir are supporting the campaign. Musicians Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams are also supporters. Athletes from the US to the Philippines have joined the campaign by holding up their Red Card. The 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics will serve as major mobilization events for the campaign.