Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that
deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating
their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of
child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced
labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement
in armed conflict.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the
first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of these
children. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst
for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number
of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and
ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.
The World Day Against
Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual governments
and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools,
youth and women's groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labour.
Linda
Bordoni spoke to Stefano Piziali, policy advisor of CESVI, an Italian NGO working
in humanitarian and cooperation development. CESVI participates in " The Stop Child
Labour" campaign, a joint lobby, education and awareness raising campaign that seeks
to eliminate child labour through the provision of full time formal education.... listen
to the full interview...