General Information
(Creation Year & Reason)

1992
Reason: Abuses of labor (child)

Initiator(s)

International Labor Organization

Objectives(s)

• Prevent child labor

• Withdraw children from hazardous work and provide alternatives

• Improve working conditions as a transitional measure towards the elimination of child labor

Timeframes and Milestones

1992-1993 - 155 Action Programs were implemented 1994-1995- Number of IPEC Action and mini programs almost tripled to 447
1996-1997 - Total number of 477 programs were approved
1998 - 105 new programs, bringing total number to over 1,100

1992 - Began development of methodology for conducting child labor sample surveys at national levels. Based on rigorous testing in 4 countries, a survey methodology was adopted in a number of countries where comprehensive data collection took place
1997? - Proposal to extend use of this methodology to circa 40 countries which request assistance in collecting comprehensive and reliable quantitative and qualitative statistical data
1998-1999 - National child labor surveys will be conducted in 12 countries: South Africa, West Bank and Gaza, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, Georgia

Implementation Process

ILO-IPEC is implementing action programs in collaboration with national and international partner organizations in 9 countries (Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines; Africa: Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania; Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay, Peru) and ILO Bureau of Workers' Activities; focusing on social mobilization and awareness campaigns; strengthening of national policies on education; improvement of formal education systems to prevent child labor and attract/retain (ex-)working children, and improvement of transitional education/training for (ex-)working children

Monitoring Process & Parties

Statistical Information and Monitoring Programme on Child Labour (SIMPOC)
Parties: Workers' organizations; labor inspectors and employers' organizations

Success in Achieving Stated Objectives

Private sector response:
(1) Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association is supporting a program for the withdrawal and rehabilitation of children employed in the garment export industry.
(2) In Brazil, the private sector has taken steps to prevent child labor use indirectly by suppliers to the automobile industry and directly in the shoe industry and fruit plantations.

Public Education & Information Components

Social mobilization and awareness campaigns:

• Mobilize teachers, educators and their organizations a well as civil society to launch child labor campaigns at local (in schools and communities), national and international levels

• Advocate increased resources to provide universal, free, relevant and compulsory education with special attention to those at high risk of child labor

• Advocate improved status

Replication Potential

High. 33 countries have signed formal agreements with IPEC, committing themselves to launch a national action program without delay 2 concrete examples:
(1) A successful urban support center to help street children in Ankara has generated similar demands from other district municipalities in Turkey.
(2) A preventative program run by an NGO in the north of Thailand is an example of an action at the community level to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Mechanisms for Improvement

(1) Transitional education has to be provided to those who are already in the workplace in order to wean them from hazardous working and equip them with practical knowledge and skills; should consist of an integrated package of general education, life skills and practical skills training.
(2) Transitional education should aim at mainstreaming them into formal education and vocational education and training systems. Options must be provided to the older children and youths who are not able to continue formal education and training, so that they do not re-enter the labor market as unskilled workers
(3) Para-skill training (short-term, relatively low-cost and light vocational training) in a broad array of employable skills, and career counseling.

Contacts for Further Information

N/A