    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 6, 1999]
    [Pages 1389-1390]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Convention on the Prohibition and Elimination of the
    Worst Forms of Child Labor
    August 6, 1999

        Yesterday I sent to the United States Senate for advice and consent
    to ratification International Labor Organization Convention Number 182,
    the ``Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the
    Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.''
        Around the world, tens of millions of children are deprived of their
    childhood and subjected to the worst forms of child labor: slavery;
    forced or compulsory labor, including forced recruitment for use in
    armed conflict; prostitution; pornography; use for illicit activities;
    and other forms of harmful and unsafe work. Education, not hard labor,
    is ultimately the path to a better life for families and a stronger
    economy in the countries affected. But too often, very young children
    are denied an education and forced into abusive and exploitative work
    that poses

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    immediate risks of harm and can also perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
        Convention Number 182 was adopted unanimously by all the government,
    labor, and business delegates to the ILO Conference at its 87th session
    in Geneva on June 17, 1999. The convention will establish a widely
    recognized international standard for the protection of children against
    the worst forms of child labor. During my visit to the ILO Conference in
    June, I urged other nations to ratify the convention. The United States
    should do so as well.
        Under the leadership of Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, the U.S. helped to shape a convention that can be
    widely ratified. A tripartite panel of American government, labor, and
    business representatives has reviewed the convention and concluded that
    the United States can ratify the convention without changing our laws or
    regulations. Under the convention, the United States and all ratifying
    nations accept a basic obligation to ``take immediate and effective
    measures to secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of
    child labor, as a matter of urgency.''
        By ratifying Convention Number 182, the Senate will make clear our
    resolve that no child should be subjected to slavery, prostitution, or
    pornography, used for drug activities, or work under conditions likely
    to harm their health, safety, or morals. I urge the United States Senate
    to support this convention to demonstrate our commitment and enhance our
    ability to help lead the world in eliminating the worst forms of child
    labor. I thank Senator Tom Harkin for his
    continuing leadership in the fight to eliminate abusive child labor. I
    look forward to working with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and
    the Senate leadership to advance this convention toward ratification.