Introduction = 1
Part I. Child labour: A dynamic global picture = 5
1. Child labour: What is to be abolished, and why? = 7
A long history of ILO work against child labour = 7
What do we want to abolish? = 9
2. The size and shape of the problem in 2002 = 14
The challenges of measuring child labour = 14
The number of child labourers in the world today = 15
A better grasp of the shape of the problem = 21
The unconditional worst forms of child labour = 31
3. Child labour and development shocks = 37
Economic and financial crises = 38
Countries in transition = 39
The HIV/AIDS pandemic = 41
Natural disasters and child labour = 43
Armed conflict and child labour = 44
4. Understanding child labour:
The foundation for effective abolition = 46
Causes act at different levels = 46
The demand for child labour = 48
Household decision-making about child labour = 49
Demographic change = 50
Parents and children on the move = 51
The role of social protection = 52
Education and child labour = 53
Conclusion = 57
Part II. The global response to child labour: Turning indignation into action = 59
1. Better information means stronger action = 61
The ILO and child labour research = 61
Research challenges and innovations = 62
Monitoring child labour = 64
Strengthening research capacity = 66
2. International action to support national partners = 67
The framework for action by the ILO = 67
Mainstreaming child labour in poverty reduction strategies = 70
International action for children’s rights = 74
3. National governments in the front line = 79
The policy framework for the abolition of child labour = 79
4. Action against child labour: A review of experience = 86
Partnerships for effective action = 86
Good practices in the abolition of child labour = 95
What makes for effective assistance = 112
Part III. Towards an action plan for the effective abolition of child labour = 115
1. Child labour and the Decent Work Agenda = 117
2. Possible contours of an action plan = 118
Reinforcing the work of IPEC = 119
Suggested points for discussion = 123
Annexes = 125
1. ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up = 127
2. Table of ratifications of ILO Conventions Nos. 138 and 182 and annual reports submitted under the Declaration follow-up in relation to the effective abolition of child labour = 131
3. List of countries involved in the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) = 137
Part I. Child labour: A dynamic global picture = 5
1. Child labour: What is to be abolished, and why? = 7
A long history of ILO work against child labour = 7
What do we want to abolish? = 9
2. The size and shape of the problem in 2002 = 14
The challenges of measuring child labour = 14
The number of child labourers in the world today = 15
A better grasp of the shape of the problem = 21
The unconditional worst forms of child labour = 31
3. Child labour and development shocks = 37
Economic and financial crises = 38
Countries in transition = 39
The HIV/AIDS pandemic = 41
Natural disasters and child labour = 43
Armed conflict and child labour = 44
4. Understanding child labour:
The foundation for effective abolition = 46
Causes act at different levels = 46
The demand for child labour = 48
Household decision-making about child labour = 49
Demographic change = 50
Parents and children on the move = 51
The role of social protection = 52
Education and child labour = 53
Conclusion = 57
Part II. The global response to child labour: Turning indignation into action = 59
1. Better information means stronger action = 61
The ILO and child labour research = 61
Research challenges and innovations = 62
Monitoring child labour = 64
Strengthening research capacity = 66
2. International action to support national partners = 67
The framework for action by the ILO = 67
Mainstreaming child labour in poverty reduction strategies = 70
International action for children’s rights = 74
3. National governments in the front line = 79
The policy framework for the abolition of child labour = 79
4. Action against child labour: A review of experience = 86
Partnerships for effective action = 86
Good practices in the abolition of child labour = 95
What makes for effective assistance = 112
Part III. Towards an action plan for the effective abolition of child labour = 115
1. Child labour and the Decent Work Agenda = 117
2. Possible contours of an action plan = 118
Reinforcing the work of IPEC = 119
Suggested points for discussion = 123
Annexes = 125
1. ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up = 127
2. Table of ratifications of ILO Conventions Nos. 138 and 182 and annual reports submitted under the Declaration follow-up in relation to the effective abolition of child labour = 131
3. List of countries involved in the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) = 137