First World Day Against Child Labour (12 June 2002)

Around the world, some 246 million children between 5 and 17 years old are working instead of attending school. That's one out of every six children in the world today. Nearly three-quarters of these children are exposed to work that is hazardous for their health and safety. The International Labour Organization has chosen June 12 as World Day Against Child Labour to focus world attention on the urgent need to eradicate child labour. Child labour is a complex problem that requires comprehensive solutions driven by moral outrage, personal commitment, community determination and national action. This is a day to remember the children and to commemorate those who work to bring about a world without child labour. This is a day for employers, governments, workers' groups, and civil society to renew their mandates to make that world a reality - a world where parents work and children go to school.

News

Too many children working, UNICEF says
ILO members urged to take action on child labour in agriculture
East Timor: New labour code ensuring international standards
Mexico: Hundreds of children rally to demand education
ILO waves "red card" at child labour

Useful links

ILO Web site on Child Labour

Human Rights Watch World Report 2002-Children's Rights

Child Rights Information Network (CRIN)-Child Labour

International treaties on children's rights, particularly child labour:
- Text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
- Simplified version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
- ILO Convention (No. 138) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973)
- ILO Convention (No. 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (1999)

Selected learning materials

Employers' Handbook on Child Labour

Fields of Hope: Educational Activities on Child Labor. Teacher's Guide

"How to Protect Human Rights?" Lesson Plan: Children's Rights in the UN System of Human Rights Protection (Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Poland)

Teaching for Human Rights: Grades 5-10

Other International Days