Eliminating the worst forms of child labour - Inter-Parliamentary Union

Eliminating the worst forms of child labour

HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS No. 3, 2002

Eliminating the worst forms of child labour

A practical guide to ILO Convention No. 182

Copyright ? International Labour Organization and Inter-Parliamentary Union 2002

First published 2002

Publications of the International Labour Office and the Inter-Parliamentary Union enjoy copyright under the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, enquiries and application should be made to the Publications Bureau (Rights and Permissions), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland, pubdroit@, directly or through the secretariat of the IPU. The International Labour Office and the IPU welcome such applications.

ISBN: 92-2-112900-4 (ILO) ISBN: 92-9142-106-5 (IPU) Eliminating the worst forms of child labour: A practical guide to ILO Convention No. 182 Handbook for parliamentarians No. 3, 2002

Also available now in French: (ISBN 92-2-212900-8 (ILO), ISBN 92-9142-105-7 (IPU)) and Spanish: (ISBN 92-2-312900-1 (ILO), ISBN 92-9142-114-6 (IPU))

Cover photograph ? ILO

Distributed jointly by:

International Labour Office InFocus Programme on Child Labour 4, route des Morillons CH-1211 Geneva 22 ipec@

Inter-Parliamentary Union Place du Petit-Saconnex P.O. Box 438 CH-1211 Geneva 19 postbox@mail.

The designations employed in this publication, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office or the Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.

Printed in Switzerland

WEI/ATA

Foreword

Today tens of millions of children work in the most abhorrent conditions which rob them of their childhood, their health, and sometimes even their lives. None of these children have ever had the slightest chance to realize their potential. ILO Convention No. 182 brings the plight of these children out of obscurity and sets the goal of eradicating the worst forms of child labour.

Parliamentarians have a key role to play in making this happen. As lawmakers, they can encourage ratification of the Convention. They can also help to fashion policy, adopt the requisite national legislation, vote the necessary budgets and oversee the day-to-day action of the government.

This Handbook is intended to serve as a practical guide for parliamentarians in the fight against child labour. But there can be no doubt that it will also prove to be a valuable resource for many others who wish to see sustainable development and human rights enjoyed by all: governments, workers' and employers' organizations, civil society organizations, and anyone wishing to become involved in the movement to end the exploitation of children.

There is a long history of institutional partnership between the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the world organization of parliaments, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations specialized agency mandated to promote social justice. This Handbook was developed with the input and careful guidance of three seasoned parliamentarians (Ms. Beth Mugo, Kenya, Mr. Jim McKiernan, Australia, and Mr. Ricardo Vazquez, Argentina) and senior officials of both the IPU and the ILO, especially those in charge of its International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).

In June 1999, the ILO launched a global campaign for the ratification of Convention No. 182. The IPU has backed this campaign from the start, encouraging parliamentarians everywhere to call for its ratification and contribute to the development of the multifaceted strategies that are needed to come to grips with the problem in a viable and lasting manner. Only through such partnerships will it be possible to achieve the kind of global and sustained mobilization that is indispensable to win a cause which transcends differing levels of development, culture, tradition or political opinion.

Indeed, Convention No. 182 has seen the fastest ratification rate in ILO history. Nevertheless, ratification is only the beginning. Implementing this Convention will require commitment, solidarity and hard work from each country. As we face up to

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