Convention to ban worst forms of child labour adopted

by Chakravarthi Raghavan

Geneva, 17 June -- The International Labour Conference adopted unanimously Thursday a Convention to ban the worst forms of child labour, and a set of recommendations to go with it.

In a recorded vote, required by the ILO, 415 votes were cast in favour, none against, and no abstentions.

The convention applies to all persons under the age of 18, defines some of the worst forms of child labour on which governments are asked to take immediate measures to eradicate such labour. The governments are also asked to formulate by national legislation and regulations, after consultations with employers, labour and others, other hazardous forms of work, and plan of action to eradicate such measures.

The recommendations urge ratifying States to declare the worst forms of child labour criminal offences and impose penal sanctions on those perpetrating them.

Welcoming the adoption of the Convention and announcing a worldwide campaign by the International Labour Office for ratification, ILO director-general Juan Somavia said: "With this Convention, we now have the power to make the urgent eradication of the worst forms of child labour a new global cause. This cause must be expressed, not in words, but deeds, not in speeches, but in poliy and law. To those who exploit children, forcing them into slavery, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography or war, we are saying, 'Stop it Now'."

The ILO estimates some 250 million children, between the ages of 5 and 14 at work in developing countries. But the glossy and colourful ILO press packs titled 'Targeting the Intolerable' present a catalogue of facts and figures that suggest that the problem of child labour exists only in the developing world.

Asked whether any conference document treated the phenomenon of child labour and its worst forms globally, including that in the developed countries, an ILO spokesman said there was nothing in addition to the information in the press packs.

Another ILO spokesman added that there has been no real study or statistics on child labour or in its worst forms in the industrialized world, "though there ought to be."

A high official of the ILO, speaking on conditions of background, said that the entire child labour programmes so far have been donor-driven, through the International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), and funded by some of the Europeans, the US etc. But with the new convention, the ILO will try to deal with the problem in terms of its standard setting role, and with all members providing data.

He noted that reports in the media, even if anecdotal, could leave little doubt about the use of children in some of the worst forms of child labour set ou in the Convention - whether it be prostitution, drug trade or others.

How far western leaders professing horror at child labour in developing countries are prepared to get their own countries to ratify (and in the case of countries like the US, not merely send the convention to the Senate for ratification, as they are bound to under the ILO charter, but press for ratification), and begin reporting would be a test of the convention, and ability to provide global leadership, the official said. (SUNS4458)

The above article first appeared in the South-North Development Monitor (SUNS) of which Chakravarthi Raghavan is the Chief Editor.

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