The most important, and still the basic ILO convention, as Mr. Harvey mentioned, is convention number 138, which was adopted 25 years ago, but still remains the basic world standard on child labor. More than 50 countries have now ratified the convention. By ratifying, I mean they have agreed that they are bound to respect its provisions under international law, and they have subjected themselves to the closest examination by the ILO, and also by business, unions, non-governmental organizations in the different countries, to see if they are providing by the provisions. I hope that in the next few years many more countries will ratify the convention, and thus take upon themselves the obligation in international law to respect its provisions. Now, conventions are one thing.
Law is one thing.
But what you really need to overcome child labor is practical action on the ground. Some ten or fifteen years ago, when the ILO launched a new campaign on child labor, most people did not want to know about it. And at any rate, it's our problem. The ILO and other foreign agencies should not get involved. Well, it's been a long time and a long struggle to get people to understand that things really must change.