    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 5, 1999]
    [Page 1389]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1389]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Convention on the Prohibition and
    Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
    August 5, 1999

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification of the Convention (No. 182) Concerning the Prohibition and
    Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor,
    adopted by the International Labor Conference at its 87th Session in
    Geneva on June 17, 1999, I transmit herewith a certified copy of that
    Convention. I transmit also for the Senate's information a certified
    copy of a recommendation (No. 190) on the same subject, adopted by the
    International Labor Conference on the same date, which amplifies some of
    the Convention's provisions. No action is called for on the
    recommendation.
        The report of the Department of State, with a letter from the
    Secretary of Labor, concerning the Convention is enclosed.
        As explained more fully in the enclosed letter from the Secretary of
    Labor, current United States law and practice satisfy the requirements
    of Convention No. 182. Ratification of this Convention, therefore,
    should not require the United States to alter in any way its law or
    practice in this field.
        In the interest of clarifying the domestic application of the
    Convention, my Administration proposes that two understandings accompany
    U.S. ratification.
        The proposed understandings are as follows:
            The United States understands that Article 3(d) of Convention
            182 does not encompass situations in which children are employed
            by a parent or by a person standing in the place of a parent on
            a farm owned or operated by such parent or person.
            The United States understands the term ``basic education'' in
            Article 7 of Convention 182 means primary education plus one
            year: eight or nine years of schooling, based on curriculum and
            not age.
        These understandings would have no effect on our international
    obligations under Convention No. 182.
        Convention No. 182 represents a true breakthrough for the children
    of the world. Ratification of this instrument will enhance the ability
    of the United States to provide global leadership in the effort to
    eliminate the worst forms of child labor. I recommend that the Senate
    give its advice and consent to the ratification of ILO Convention No.
    182.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 5, 1999.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 6.