EU Statement - ILO 353rd GB - Preparations for the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour

ILO Governing Body, 353rd session
10 - 20 March
Preparations for the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour
GB.353/POL/4
EU statement
 

Thank you, Chair.
I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, the EFTA countries Switzerland and Norway member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

1.    We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Morocco for their generous offer to host the sixth Global Conference on Elimination of Child Labour and Forced Labour. We thank also the Office for the initiated preparation process and we welcome the proposed focus on reinforcing the commitment of all stakeholders to accelerate the fight against child labour and foster coherent national, regional and global efforts.

2.    The EU and its Member States are deeply committed to the eradication of child labour, with a priority to its worst forms, and to fostering and protecting children’s rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

3.    Chair, we stand today at a critical juncture in the fight against child labour. Despite some years of progress, the numbers of children affected by child labour are beyond any imagination. Regrettably, SDG target 8.7.on ending child labour in all its forms by 2025 will not be met.

4.    We call for a universal ratification and implementation of the Minimum Age Convention and the effective implementation of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, as well as the respect and promotion of all fundamental principles and rights at work.  

5.    The Sixth Global Conference represents a pivotal opportunity for the international community to take stock of progress on SDG target 8.7 and address existing challenges in its global implementation. It is crucial that we take decisive action to tackle these challenges and to ensure that the fight against child labour, including within supply chains, continues to stay high on the global agenda, including beyond 2030. The “Second World Summit for Social Development” and the Global Coalition for Social Justice have also a key role to play in this regard. We underline the importance of fuelling partnerships such as Alliance 8.7 and with other UN agencies including through the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, IFI’s and civil society organisations.

6.    We look forward to the tripartite regional consultations to take place after the 113th ILC and request the Office to keep the Governing Body updated on the foreseen timing of the conference’s preparations, including the drafting process and forms of participation.

7.    It is of great importance for the global action on eliminating child labour to be based on a careful analysis of the results from the regional consultations, relevant research and pilot programmes, along with the global estimates on child labour due to be published in June, as well as the findings in the online questionnaire for partners of Alliance 8.7. This will allow for identifying areas for action, taking into account also the national circumstances and needs.

8.    We would like to see a comprehensive, meaningful and action-oriented outcome of the Global Conference and we encourage all ILO constituents to work together for achieving it, on the basis of social dialogue and tripartism. It is crucial to ensure an effective follow-up mechanism to monitor how the outputs of the conference are turned into action.
Chair, we support the decision point. 
Thank you!

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.