The Trade Unions Federation of Kyrgyzstan reported on the trade unions' activity in fighting the worst forms of child labour. Participants also focused on the social partners' national plan for action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour and the government's draft resolution to approve the list of the worst and most dangerous forms of labour and occupations, where child labour is forbidden.

Child labour still remains one of the most acute problems in Kyrgyzstan and a major social concern. Although the government takes steps to eliminate this social phenomenon, so far it has proved to be difficult to eradicate.

There are many factors for child labour, including its extremely low cost, low living standards in the country, adult unemployment.. Poverty-bred child labour causes irreversible physical and moral harm to young population.

In August 2002 an international roundtable meeting on Child Labour in Kyrgyzstan was held. Its participants made a joint statement emphasizing the need to work out a joint comprehensive programme for eliminating the worst forms of child labour in the republic.

As of August 25, 2003, the Kyrgyz government adopted Resolution 541 On the Coordinating Council on Child Labour in Kyrgyzstan.

The main goal of the Coordinating Council on Child Labour is to boost and coordinate activities of executive authorities, local self-governing bodies, representatives of public and non-governmental organizations, workers and employers aimed at the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, as well as to ratify ILO Convention 182 on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

The Coordinating Council acts in accordance with the Kyrgyz Constitution, Labour Code, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ILO Conventions and Recommendations as well as other laws and legal acts of the Kyrgyz Republic, the government's press service said.