Letter of Intent to Guide the Joint Efforts of
the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and
the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Recognizing that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have complementary and mutually supportive roles to play in the progressive elimination of child labour and the protection of working children, their executive heads express their intent to further strengthen their cooperation in order to achieve strong and efficient inter-agency work in this area, within the framework of the Agreement between the United Nations and the ILO.

In order to further develop the fruitful joint activities already being carried out and to enhance the synergy of the activities each carriers (NB) out under its respective mandate, the Executive Director of UNICEF and the Director-General of the ILO have agreed to the annexed Framework for Cooperation.

This cooperation will be implemented through continuing consultations with a view to coordinating policy and plans of action.

This letter of intent will become effective upon the date of the second signature. It will remain in effect indefinitely, unless UNICEF or the ILO notifies the other agency, by giving at least three month's written notice, that it is no longer to be in effect.

(Signed)
C. Bellamy,
Executive Director,
UNICEF

(Signed)
M. Hansenne,
Director-General,
ILO

Geneva, 8 October 1996.

Annex 1 ⁽¹⁾
Framework for cooperation

I. Policy

- Continue to consult and coordinate regarding priority categories of child labour and interventions to ensure coherent positions and practice in regard to child labour.

- Continue to encourage member States to ratify and implement relevant international labour standards.

- Cooperate in identifying the constraints on, and ways for facilitating, the ratification and implementation of relevant international standards.

II. Research and exchanges

Subject to available resources:

- Elaborate a research agenda and cooperate in its execution.

- Continue to develop methodologies for assessing and improving the situation of working children.

- Convene joint regional and subregional workshops for purposes of disseminating and exchanging experiences.

III. Technical cooperation

- Cooperate in all countries, especially those countries in which UNICEF and the ILO carry out field activities.

- Continue to develop work in the field of child labour and related issues.

IV. Follow-up

- Maintain close consultations with a view to coordinating policy and plans of action relating to child labour.

1. Annex to the Letter of Intent to Guide the Joint Efforts of UNICEF and the ILO to eliminate child labour and protect working children.

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Published in: Official Bulletin of the ILO, Vol. LXXX, 1997, Series A, No. 1

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