In the celebration of the World Day Against Child Labor, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Cambodia on Thursday called for increased action to safeguard the rights of children affected by migration.

A recent study showed that children who migrate within Cambodia and to neighboring countries face risks of trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and child labor, among others, said a UNICEF press release.

"Child labor strips children of their right to a safe and healthy childhood, keeps them out of school, and damages their physical and mental well-being," said Will Parks, UNICEF representative to Cambodia.

"Children who migrate, whether alone or with family, internally or across borders, are especially vulnerable to these risks," he said. "Without proper documentation, protection, or access to education, migrant children are at a higher risk of exploitative work."

Parks said UNICEF has been working closely with government authorities and stakeholders to bolster cross-border child protection systems between Cambodia and neighboring countries to ensure access to essential services.

The press release said that over the last decade, Cambodia has taken major steps to protect its children from violence, exploitation, and abuse. Between 2010 and 2021, the proportion of working children dropped from 37 percent to 17 percent.

"Despite progress, this still represents one in five children in Cambodia who are economically active," the press release said.

The recent study found that migration is often driven by poverty and that children who migrate to neighboring Thailand face heightened risks of child labor, particularly when separated from their families, the press release said.

"Children who cross the border illegally are at constant risk of trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and being in conflict with the law," it said. "Many do not attend school as their families depend on their daily income and do not have access to essential services like healthcare."

Children engage in work in a variety of settings, including on construction sites and in restaurants, and children below the minimum age engage in child labor situations involving vending, domestic work, garment production, agriculture, seafood processing, fishing, and organized begging, the press release said.

"Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable, as they may be recruited for begging and do not have adequate access to essential services," it added.