The exploitation of children is a violation of their human rights and a gross waste of human potential.
Child labour is one of the main sources of child exploitation and abuse in the world today.
The Amsterdam Child Labour Conference, unanimous in its condemnation of the exploitation of children, calls for immediate action to eradicate it. There must be a total prohibition of work by the very young and special protection for girls. A crime against a child anywhere must be made a crime everywhere. The fight against child labour requires a firm expression of political will at the highest level and the designation of a responsible national authority. Concerted action is required at all levels by governments, employers' organizations and trade unions, NGOs, the representatives of working children and their families and other members of the civil society united in a coherent multi-disciplinary programme.