Actions against Child Labour: the role of governments and organisations

It’s estimated by the international Labour Organization that 250million children between 5 and 14 work in developing countries, 120 million on a full time basis. They work mainly in agriculture, as domestics, in manual trade and services, in manufacturing and constructions.
The main reason for working is that the family doesn’t earn enough money and they have to help in this objective. Work isn’t necessarily wrong in a child growing up, it can be a positive experience… but only if he’s free to do it, if he works in good conditions, if the education isn’t denied and if he has the pay that he deserves.
Unfortunately children in this case are rare compared to the other who work in very bad conditions, using dangerous substances and materials, who are beaten, reduced to slavery, forced to work… and so on. We could enumerate a lot of situation which go against the children’s rights.
What can be done in order to help those children?
Firstly, we can say that the governments have to act by promulgating laws against Child Labour and to make it respected. However it is more difficult in poor countries where it is contributing to maintain the economy. Their work isn’t only important for the family but also for their country! Nevertheless, governments have to prohibit it for the welfare of the population . The have to ratify the ILO Convention n°182 to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Today 163 countries have ratified this convention. Another convention is interesting because it specify the minimum age and the country can choose it in accordance with the economy and other factors.

Secondly, there are a lot of organizations around the world which act against child labour around the world. For example : UNICEF, Global March, the child Labor Coalition…and many others. ILO (International Labour Organisation) is acting against child labour worldwide. In many countries they are setting up programs : International Programs on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPECL). Governments and organisations can act together for a better efficiency.
For Example in Nepal where 41% of the children from 5 to 14 are working in agriculture, manual trade and industrial sector. They act with the government and today more than 100 programs and mini programs have been implemented in Nepal.