1. Overview of ILO-IPEC Action against Child Labour
Constance Thomas, lecturer
Former Director of IPEC/FPRW 2018
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour 1

2. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
What is Child Labour?
It refers to work that:
Is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and
Interferes with their schooling:
By depriving them of the opportunity to attend school;
By obliging them to leave school prematurely: or
By requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

3. The Basic Breakdown 2016 estimates:
218m in economic activity, of whom:
152m in child labour (88m boys/64m girls)
73m in worst forms (hazardous) 62% boys
5-11 yrs: 73m CL; 19m WFCL
yrs: 42m CL; 16m WFCL
15-17 yrs: 37m CL; 37m WFCL
Trends: CL reduced 38%, WF reduced 58% since 2000

4. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
The Basic Breakdown
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

5. The Face of Child Labour
69.1% is unpaid family work, 27.2% is paid employment, 3.7 is self-employment
71% in agriculture; 17% in services; 12% in manufacturing
Estimated at least 7% in global supply chains (old info)

6. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
Regional breakdown
Latin America and Caribbean
Same at 10.7 million (5.3%)
Asia and the Pacific
Down to 62.1 million (7.4%)
Sub-Saharan Africa
Up to 72.1 million (19.6 %)
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7. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
Causes of Child Labour
Poverty
Parental attitudes and knowledge
Barriers to education
Market demand
Perceived suitability of children to certain types of work
Lack of legislation and/or poor enforcement of existing legislation
Regional/internal conflict
Situations of fragility and crises (i.e.disasters)
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

8. Consequences of Child Labour
Deprives them of schooling or requires them to assume the multiple burden of schooling and work
Jeopardises their health and safety – high risk of illness and injury…even death (especially children in armed conflict)
Affects their physical development (malnutrition, long working hours in bad conditions)
Exposes them to physical and psychological abuse and violence which all have long term consequences
Deprives them of their childhood and of their future
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

9. ILO Framework to combat child labour
Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) & Recommendation No. 146
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) & Recommendation No. 190.
Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998)
Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization (2008)
Decent Work Agenda
Strategic Policy Framework and Programme and Budget
Global Action Plans against Child Labour (2006, 2010, FPRW 2012)
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10. The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)
Launched in 1992
Main objective: the progressive elimination of child labour
To be achieved through strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem and promoting a worldwide movement to combat child labour
IPEC is a rights based development programme which employs internationally recognized labour standards, technical advice, and technical cooperation projects towards achievement of its objective
Tripartite cooperation with governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations is the cornerstone of national action against child labour and IPEC interventions.
Promotes worldwide movement with civil society actors
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

11. Roadmap to eliminate WFCL by 2016
Adopted at The Hague Global Child Labour Conference 2010 and Brasilia Conference 2013
Preamble: CL is impediment to achieving MDGs; Guiding principles: Governments have prime responsibility, adequate financial resources to available.
Priority actions by governments: Legislation & law enforcement; free, com- pulsory quality education; social protection; labour market policies
Priority actions by social partners and others
Promotion and monitoring framework

12. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
Global Action Plan (2010)
Supporting national responses, mainstreaming CL concerns within national development and policy frameworks
Strengthening the importance of law, public services and social dialogue
Promoting the role of responsible business
Strengthening child labour monitoring systems (community-based, labour inspection and national statistical services – identification, withdrawal and prevention, referral, tracking)
Deepening and strengthening the worldwide movement
Emphasis on Africa
Reflected in a “new generation” of IPEC projects Child-labour free areas: integrated area-based approach
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13. Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (2012)
New Resolution and Plan of Action emphasizing the inter-linkage between the four sets of fundamental rights: freedom of association and collective bargaining; abolition of forced labour; elimination of child labour; right to non discrimination

14. IPEC’s strategy: “top down” & “bottom up”
Working with goverments, trade unions and employers to improve legislation, policies, support national plans of action on child labour and strengthen the capacities of key players at the policy, planning and intervention levels
Creating awareness at all levels and mobilising alliances and partnerships
Mainstreaming child labour issues into national and global development frameworks
Demonstrating viable strategies for the prevention of child labour, withdrawal of children from work, the rehabilitation of former child labourers and ensuring their access to education
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15. IPEC Priorities: sectors, regions typologies
Agriculture, mining, child domestic labour, informal economy
Focus on Africa
Worst forms: Bonded and forced labour
The special situation of girls and older boys
Youth employment (Hazardous work)
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16. Research and knowledge
Global Reports 2010, 2013, including global estimates and trends;
UCW interagency report with UNICEF & World Bank;
National child labour surveys;
New thematic tools and analytical studies;
Breakthrough in research methods ie WFCL other than hazardous CL;
Improved linkages with education, youth employment, social protection; law enforcement
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17. IPEC: Action through Policy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
United Nations Development Agreement Framework
ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme
Nation Sectoral Policies i.e. Education, Industry
National Action Plans/Roadmaps
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

18. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
IPEC on the ground
Projects supporting direct interventions for at-risk children, child labourers, their families and communities, including:
Community mobilisation and awareness raising
Withdrawal and rehabilitation services
Provision of education (formal and non- formal) and vocational training
Economic empowerment of targeted families
Local child labour monitoring, involving the local community in identifying child labourers and linking them to appropriate services
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

19. Child labour and Education
Working with Ministries of Labour and Education on policies and programmes responding to child labour
Advocacy to encourage removal of barriers to education.
Non formal education initiatives to reach out of school children, and tools for developing children’s awareness concerning child labour
Integrating information on child labour within school curriculum and teacher training
Work with teacher’s trade unions, whose members can support advocacy and action against child labour
Vocational and skills training programmes which provide practical skills for children reaching the minimum age of employment

20. Partnerships and networking
Understanding Children’s Work (partnership of ILO, UNICEF, World Bank);
Global Task Force on Child Labour and Education for All (GTF);
International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture;
UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking
International Working Group on Children on the Move;
Paris Principles Steering Group on children associated with armed forces and armed groups;
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21. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
International partnership for cooperation on child labour in agriculture
Bridge the gap between technical areas “agriculture” and “labour
International agricultural organizations are important conduits because of their close contacts with national:
ministries or departments of agriculture
agricultural extension services
farmers' organizations and cooperatives
agricultural: producer organizations, research bodies, marketing boards
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International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

22. Engaging with Business
ILO Mulinational Enterprise Declaration
OECD Guidelines
UN Global Compact
UN Human Rights Framework (Ruggie principles)
Codes & Standards
Guidelines

23. Business risks Child labour in supply chains
But significant risks persist
Child labour in supply chains
Informal economy, agriculture
Household production
Business & labour practices that perpetuate poverty

24. Why should business care
Because it is a visible violation
Because laws requires it
Because the State is unable/unwilling to protect rights
Because it helps manage reputation
Because it is part of social responsibility
Because it can create value and opportunity for the business
Because it can enhance productivity

25. International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
THANK YOU
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