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

<R04>
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 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.