Action Against Child Labour (ILO, 2000, 356 p.): 6. Strategies for employers and their organizations: Appendix 6.1 IOE General Council Resolution on Child Labour

Action Against Child Labour (ILO, 2000, 356 p.)

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Preface

1. National policies and programmes

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INTRODUCTION

1.1 STRATEGIC ACTION AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

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The problem

Prevention, removal and rehabilitation

Priority target groups

Phased and multi-sectoral strategy

1.2 DEVELOPING POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ON CHILD LABOUR

Why a policy on child labour?

Policies, programmes and projects

ILO standards and action through IPEC

The first steps in policy and programme formulation

1.3 SETTING PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

Especially vulnerable groups

Main policy and programme directions

Direct action and capacity building

1.4 CREATING A BROAD SOCIAL ALLIANCE

Appendix 1.1 Terms of reference for a comprehensive report on child labour

Appendix 1.2 Ideas for group work in national planning workshops on child labour

Appendix 1.3 Example of a national plan of action on child labour, Cambodia, 1997

Appendix 1.4 Pointers to project design

2. Towards improved legislation

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INTRODUCTION

2.1 LEGISLATION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

2.2 SOURCES OF LAW ON CHILD LABOUR

2.3 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS AND NATIONAL LEGISLATION

Introduction

National policy

Coverage of the law (scope of application)

General minimum age for admission to employment or work

Minimum age for light work

Minimum age for hazardous work

Conditions of employment

Forced labour

Enforcement

2.4 NEW INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS ON THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR

2.5 OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

2.6 INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE CHILD LABOUR LEGISLATION

2.7 LESSONS LEARNED

Checklist 2.1 General principles

Checklist 2.2 Improving national legislation

Checklist 2.3 Legislation on bonded labour

Checklist 2.4 Involving employers' and workers' organizations, and others

Appendix 2.1 ILO Conventions on child labour and forced labour (as at 31 July 1999)

Appendix 2.2 Minimum ages in ILO Conventions

Appendix 2.3 Ratification of ILO Conventions on child labour and forced labour (as at 31 August 1999)

Appendix 2.4 Chart of ratifications of ILO Conventions on child labour and forced labour by country (as at 31 August 1999:

Appendix 2.5 Excerpts from selected ILO standards on child labour

3. Improving the knowledge base on child labour

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INTRODUCTION

3.1 CHILD LABOUR STATISTICS: METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Data requirements

Survey methodologies

3.2 BASIC RESULTS

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Household survey

Establishment survey

Survey of street children

The time-use approach

3.3 RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONDUCTING SURVEYS

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Household-based surveys

Surveys of employers (establishments or enterprises)

Surveys of street children

3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERVIEWING CHILDREN

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Creating the right setting

3.5 FURTHER RESEARCH

Appendix 3.1 List of detailed variables in child labour surveys

Bibliography on child labour surveys, statistics and related matters

4. Alternatives to child labour

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INTRODUCTION

4.1 STRATEGIES IN EDUCATION

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Educating children about their rights and about child labour issues

Investment in early childhood development programmes

Increasing access to education

Improving the quality of formal and non-formal education

Non-formal education as an entry, a re-entry or alternative for (former) working children

Approaches to vocational education

4.2 PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN FROM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE GROUPS

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Child victims of bondage, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking

Girls

Children living and working on the streets

Children of indigenous groups and other minorities

4.3 EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS

4.4 WORKPLACE AND COMMUNITY MONITORING

4.5 LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE: PLANNING ACTION PROGRAMMES

Identifying priority target groups

Concerted action

Setting programme objectives

Checklist 4.1 Identifying target groups and selecting children

Checklist 4.2 Planning vocational skills training programmes

Checklist 4.3 Measuring the impact of action programmes

5. Strategies to address child slavery

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5.1 THE PROBLEM OF CHILD SLAVERY

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The nature of the problem

The extent of the problem

5.2 INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST CHILD SLAVERY

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International Labour Organization

United Nations

5.3 NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT

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Legislation prohibiting forced and bonded labour

Problems in enforcement

5.4 ACTION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

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Preventing child slavery

Action against slave owners

Targeting children in bondage

Integrated action to address child slavery

5.5 DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES OF ACTION

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Strategy for action against child bondage

Strategy for action against child trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children

Bibliography on child slavery

6. Strategies for employers and their organizations

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INTRODUCTION

6.1 STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYER ACTION

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Planning for action at the national level

Building alliances

Key issues in project design

Ten steps to enhance employer action on child labour

6.2 EMPLOYER ''BEST PRACTICES'' ON CHILD LABOUR

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Awareness-raising and policy development initiatives

Employer action to combat child labour in specific sectors

Direct support for the removal and rehabilitation of child workers

6.3 CORPORATE INITIATIVES ON CHILD LABOUR

Labelling or certification schemes

Corporate codes of conduct

Industry codes of conduct

IOE views on voluntary codes of conduct and labelling

6.4 KEY LESSONS FOR FUTURE ACTION

Appendix 6.1 IOE General Council Resolution on Child Labour

7. Trade unions against child labour

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INTRODUCTION

7.1 WHY CHILD LABOUR IS A TRADE UNION ISSUE

The history and role of trade union involvement

7.2 HOW TRADE UNIONS ARE FIGHTING CHILD LABOUR

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Trade unions strengthen their capacity to address child labour issues

Trade unions support children, their families and communities

Trade unions raise awareness on child labour issues

Trade unions gather and disseminate data on child labour

Trade unions include child labour concerns in collective bargaining agreements

Trade unions advocate for codes of conduct

Trade unions work in partnership with NGOs, employers' organizations and governments

The international trade union movement plays a major role

7.3 WHAT A TRADE UNION CAN DO

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Ten-point action guide

Bibliography on trade union action

8. Awareness-raising

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INTRODUCTION

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Aspects of communication

Process of communication

8.1 THE MESSAGE

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''Action against child labour can be taken now''

''Prioritize the most harmful, often invisible, forms of child labour''

''Positive action and international cooperation are needed''

''Tradition cannot justify the exploitation of children''

''Prevention is better than cure''

8.2 THE AUDIENCE

8.3 MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

8.4 THE NEED FOR A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Appendix 8.1 Informing the public

Appendix 8.2 Popular theatre as an effective communications tool

9. Action by community groups and NGOs

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9.1 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND CHILD LABOUR

9.2 PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OF NGOs IN COMBATING CHILD LABOUR

Types of NGO action

Examples of NGOs in action

9.3 LESSONS LEARNED

10. Resources on child labour

INTRODUCTION

10.1 GENERAL PUBLICATIONS ON CHILD LABOUR

ILO reports for the International Labour Conference (ILC) and Governing Body (GB)

Reports of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)

Policy studies

Information kits, training manuals and guidelines

Audiovisual materials

10.2 SPECIAL THEMES

Other ILO publications

Back Cover

Appendix 6.1 IOE General Council Resolution on Child Labour

The General Council of the International Organisation of Employers,

Having met in Geneva on 3 June 1996 for its 73rd ordinary session,

Considering that one of the most disturbing aspects of poverty is the necessity for poor families to rely on the labour of their children,

Considering that, although the problem is complex and requires long-term action for its prevention and progressive elimination, its most intolerable aspects - namely the employment of children in slave-like and bonded conditions and in dangerous work - must be abolished immediately and unconditionally,

Concerned that children without education are denied opportunities to develop their full potential and can constrain the social and economic development of their countries,

Aware that the long-term solution to the problem lies in sustained economic growth leading to social progress, in particular poverty alleviation and universal education,

Noting that, although the solution to the problem requires the active and coordinated involvement of society as a whole, with government playing a critical role through its development plans and special education programmes, the business community has a significant contribution to make,

Noting that, while enterprises and business organizations, along with other groups in society, are concerned about child labour and have adopted policies and taken action to improve the situation of working children, further concerted action is required,

Recognizing that the positive actions taken by employers have not been adequately acknowledged and in some cases employers have been subject to unfair accusations,

Noting that simplistic solutions, which can merely throw children out of work without providing alternative means of livelihood for them and their families, often put the children concerned in a worse situation,

Further concerned that attempts to link the issue of working children with international trade and to use it to impose trade sanctions on countries where the problem of child labour exists are counterproductive and jeopardize the welfare of children,

Resolves this 3rd day of June 1996 to:

Raise awareness of the human cost of child labour as well as its negative economic and social consequences.

Put an immediate end to slave-like, bonded and dangerous forms of child labour while developing formal policies with a view to its eventual elimination in all sectors.

Translate child labour policies into action plans at the international, national, industry and enterprise levels.

Implement the plans, taking care to ensure that the situation of the children and their families is improved as a result.

Support activities targeted at working children and their families, such as the establishment of day care centres, schools and training facilities, including training of teachers, and initiate such activities wherever possible.

Encourage and work with local and national government authorities to develop and implement effective policies designed to eliminate child labour.

Promote access to basic education and primary health care, which are crucial to the success of any effort to eliminate child labour.

Calls on the IOE Executive Committee to:

a. Create a database on companies and organizations active in combating child labour.
b. Develop and distribute an Employer Handbook addressing child labour developments.
c. Receive periodic reports from the IOE membership on their initiatives and other developments in the area of child labour.
d. Report to the General Council on an annual basis as to work being done in combating child labour.