Thailand Making ILO's World day against Child Labour

Thailand is marking the ILO’s first World Day Against Child Labour with a series of activities including parades and paintings.

Press release | BANGKOK | 12 June 2002

BANGKOK (ILO News):- Thailand is marking the ILO’s first World Day Against Child Labour with plans for a series of activities in June that include parades and paintings.

The ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination or Child Labour (IPEC) is cooperating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Foundation for Child Development (FCD), and the Phayao Women and Child Development Association (WACDA) to organize the following activities: 

  • 16 June 2002 Mural painting campaign on Child Labour at Ban Satikham, Sukhumvit 107, Sarong, Samut Prakarn, Tel. 02 3933717
  • 21 June 2002 Mural painting campaign on Child Labour at Phayao Women and Child Development Association, Phayao, 054-411350, 09 7702800
  • 30 June 2002 Parade against child labour and the Sport Day for Child Workers at Werurachin Youth Centre, Thoed Thai Road, Thonburi. Tel. 02 433 6292

The International Labour Organization has chosen 12 June 2002 as the first World Day Against Child Labour to focus world attention on the urgent need to combat child labour problem.

The World Day will be held annually to draw attention to the ILO ’s global campaign against child labour. Awareness of child labour issues has grown significantly over the past decade, and the day is intended to reinforce this. Ratifications of the ILO’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) and its Minimum Age Convention, 1974 (No. 138) are steadily increasing, together with support for the work of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).

Thailand was one of the first countries to join IPEC, in 1992. Since 1992, 57 action programmes involving multi-sector partners have been carried out in both rural and urban settings. Work has included strengthening legal provisions against child labour, raising awareness among senior and working level officials and among general public, and piloting strategies to directly address child labour.

Thailand’s commitment to tackling child labour is reflected in the Nation Plan on Child Labour (1997-2001), and an ongoing process of legislative review and law enforcement. Relevant legislation includes the Labour Protection Act (1998) and the Education Act (1999). Under the National Plan, 27 measures were also promoted as guides for action by relevant authorities to address the worst forms of child labour.

In a statement marking the first World Day Against Child Labour, ILO Director-General Mr. Juan Somavia says:

"This year, on June 12th the International Labour Organization will observe the first World Day Against Child Labour.

Join us in working towards a world where no children will be deprived of a normal, healthy childhood... where parents can find decent jobs and children go to school.

Help us to spread the message... for a world free from child labour.

Families and communities, schools, workers, business, governments, the media...all can play a part in promoting the right of every child to be protected from hazardous, dangerous work and exploitation.

Let us look forward... to the day when we will no longer need... a World Day Against Child Labour.