Standards and practices for a zero-tolerance policy on child labour
19 November 2019
The European Parliament organized a conference to promote a zero-tolerance policy on child labour. Thomas Wissing from the ILO Fundamentals branch described some of the causes of child labour and how it can be tackled.
Poverty and social vulnerability, a lack of decent work opportunities, exposure to shocks, such as unemployment, crisis and conflict, and a poor quality of education are some of the main causes of child labour, he explained. The absence of workers’ organization, freedom of association and social dialogue also contributes to child labour.
The ILO Fundamental Conventions on Minimum age (no. 138) and on the Worst forms of child labour (no. 182) have been widely ratified, by 172 and 186 Member states respectively. However, their implementation remains an issue.
Mr Wissing underlined the need to accelerate the pace for achieving SDG Target 8.7. “We have to look more into the structural drivers of child labour through an integrated set of policies to tackle poverty and social exclusion, and provide access to education, social protection systems and decent work.
This requires a whole of government approach, involving all stakeholders. Governments are not alone in tackling child labour, as the Alliance 8.7, which brings together all stakeholders, illustrates.
The ILO has released a report on Ending child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains.
Poverty and social vulnerability, a lack of decent work opportunities, exposure to shocks, such as unemployment, crisis and conflict, and a poor quality of education are some of the main causes of child labour, he explained. The absence of workers’ organization, freedom of association and social dialogue also contributes to child labour.
The ILO Fundamental Conventions on Minimum age (no. 138) and on the Worst forms of child labour (no. 182) have been widely ratified, by 172 and 186 Member states respectively. However, their implementation remains an issue.
Mr Wissing underlined the need to accelerate the pace for achieving SDG Target 8.7. “We have to look more into the structural drivers of child labour through an integrated set of policies to tackle poverty and social exclusion, and provide access to education, social protection systems and decent work.
This requires a whole of government approach, involving all stakeholders. Governments are not alone in tackling child labour, as the Alliance 8.7, which brings together all stakeholders, illustrates.
The ILO has released a report on Ending child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains.