No country or industry could have afforded to introduce any of these in the absence of similar and simultaneous action by its competitors. The ILO is the international institutional framework which makes it possible to address such issues - and to find solutions allowing working conditions to improve everywhere. The Declaration underlines that all member countries have an obligation to respect the fundamental principles involved, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions. Focus on child labour Child labour is a pressing social, economic and human rights issue. As many as 250 million children worldwide are thought to be working, deprived of adequate education, good health and basic freedoms.
Individual children pay the highest price, but countries suffer as well.