[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 31 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Pages 1567-1568]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Convention on the Prohibition and 
Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor With Documentation

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.

[[Page 1568]]

    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.