Protecting the Vulnerable: IOM Calls for Action as Child Trafficking Reaches Alarming Levels
SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Ministry of Labour and Employment | Ministry of Home Affairs
At the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakesh, IOM Director General Amy Pope reported that while 125,000 victims have been officially identified worldwide, approximately 30,000 are children, representing nearly 25% of detected victims. The organization warned that the true number is likely much higher due to widespread underreporting and gaps in detection along migration routes. IOM is urging governments to integrate anti-trafficking measures with child protection systems and strengthen cross-border cooperation to protect “children on the move” from exploitation and forced labour.
Key Pillars of the Global Anti-Trafficking Strategy
Centralizing Migration in Policy: Urging governments to place migration and human trafficking at the core of national efforts to eliminate child labour.
Strengthening Cross-Border Case Management: Expanding programs like the IOM–Save the Children–UNICEF Global Programme to facilitate referral systems along high-risk migration routes.
Data-Driven Prevention: Utilizing evidence from joint studies (e.g., IOM–Harvard) to identify the complex links between child labour, forced migration, and trafficking.
Rights-Based Partnership (Alliance 8.7): Leveraging coordinated responses between UN agencies, civil society, and the business community to close gaps in international protection.
Empowering Youth Decision-Making: Implementing platforms like WakaWell to support young people in making informed and safe migration decisions.
On a related note, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with IOM India and ICWA, organized a National Consultation on February 9, 2026, to review India’s initiatives under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). As part of the preparatory process for the Second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in May 2026, the consultation emphasized a "whole-of-government" approach to ensure migration remains voluntary and safe. Key discussions included fair recruitment, skills mapping of returning migrants, and the launch of the PRAYAS mapping report, which focuses on the safe mobility of Indian youth and students. By aligning with the GCM's objectives, India aims to strengthen protection and sustainable development outcomes for its large diaspora and migrant workforce.
What are “Children on the Move”? “Children on the Move” refers to children—whether accompanied or unaccompanied—who are migrating across or within borders to escape conflict, instability, or environmental degradation. These children face significantly heightened risks of exploitation and are often “invisible” to global protection systems, making them prime targets for traffickers. The IOM emphasizes that without integrated migration and child protection policies, these vulnerable populations remain at the highest risk of being funneled into forced labour or modern slavery.
Policy Relevance
As a major country of origin, transit, and destination for migration, the IOM’s call for global action provides a strategic roadmap for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Labour to strengthen India’s “Anti-Human Trafficking Units” (AHTUs).
Strategic Impact:
Scaling Cross-Border Vigilance: Implementing the IOM’s recommendation for “cross-border cooperation” can enhance India’s collaboration with neighboring SAARC nations to prevent trafficking along porous borders.
Addressing the Child Labour Link: Aligning the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) with anti-trafficking data can help identify “invisible” children in the informal sector who may be victims of organized trafficking networks.
Leveraging Global Platforms: Adopting tools like WakaWell for Indian youth can prevent irregular migration and exploitation in high-risk migration corridors.
Evidence-Based Accountability: Utilizing the “1 in 4” global statistic as a benchmark allows the Ministry of Women and Child Development to evaluate the effectiveness of domestic missing-child tracking systems like TrackChild.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What ‘Cross-Border Cooperation’ protocols can the Ministry of Home Affairs establish with neighboring countries to ensure that ‘Children on the Move’ are identified and referred to protection services before they enter the trafficking net?
Follow the full news here: IOM: 125,000 Trafficking Victims Worldwide
MEA: National Consultation on GCM Initiatives