WRITTEN QUESTION E-1833/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 June 2001)

Subject: Aid policy for the development and rights of children

Once again the international press has drawn the public's attention to the dramatic, ongoing and incredible situation of millions of children throughout the world (allegedly 250 million an astonishing figure) who are forced to work unbelievably hard from a very young age. While child labour is still a social problem in several EU countries, in many non-European countries it has reached unacceptable levels.

The European Union has a moral obligation, considering how verbally profuse it has been in support of children's rights, to use all the means at its disposal to combat this sad state of affairs which literally destroys the dignity and life of millions of children.

1. Can the Commission therefore say whether it would truly be possible to grant financing and aid to the developing countries in question, and conclude trade agreements with them, only on condition that they implement the human rights clause which, on paper at least, is always included in such agreements?

2. Can the Commission in any case find a way to support the children who have had their childhood destroyed in such countries, by means of aid schemes and specific targeted projects with a view to curbing, at the very least, the terrible scourge of child labour?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

The Commission strongly supports efforts by the international community to eliminate child labour across the world. In this regard, the Commission particularly supports the work of the International Labour Organisation the ILO adopted a Convention in 1999 banning the Worst Forms of Child Labour. On 15 September 2000, the Commission underlined its support for the ILO's efforts against child labour by adopting a Recommendation to the Member States to ratify this new Convention. The Commission has also supported EU efforts at the international level to combat child labour, most recently at the 57th UN Commission on Human Rights.

Since 1992 all cooperation agreements between the EU and third countries have incorporated a clause defining respect for human rights including rights of the child as an essential element of the agreement. This includes core labour standards as set out in the eight ILO fundamental conventions. As the recent Commission Communication on Human Rights makes clear, human rights clauses are not intended to signify a negative or punitive approach but rather to promote dialogue and positive measures. Political Dialogue with third countries offers the opportunity to press home the importance of respecting children's rights. The Commission will continue to attach importance to Parliament's views with respect to the invocation of the human rights clause.

With respect to development assistance, there is a clear opportunity to discuss the implementation of core labour standards with recipient countries. The opportunity arises in drafting Country Strategy Papers and in the discussions with governments on Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP's). Other instruments include specific measures for capacity strengthening in relevant ministries, to enable governments to formulate, enact and implement national labour legislation that applies the international consensus on the principles and rights contained in the ILO fundamental Conventions to local realities, thus facilitating ratification and implementation, and to build realistic monitoring mechanisms.

Specific measures to further the elimination of child labour include developing effective and time-bound programmes to eliminate the worst forms of child labour through prevention, protection and

rehabilitation; ensuring access to free, quality basic education; and wherever possible and appropriate, vocational training for all children; giving greater visibility to child labour through strengthened data collection, analysis and dissemination; and promoting awareness of children's rights to protection from economic exploitation, and the need for priority action against the worst forms of child labour. Financial support for the fight against child labour has been made available under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Several projects were funded under the 2000 budget, including assistance to domestic workers in Togo, child agricultural labourers in Egypt and organisations fighting child labour in Latin America. Promotion of the rights of the child has been chosen as a priority theme for funding under the 2001 budget of the EIDHR and the selection of projects is currently being finalised.

The 2000 Cotonou Agreement between the EU and 77 ACP states represents an important step forward in promoting core labour standards in bilateral agreements and includes a specific provision on trade and labour standards. The main action of the Commission to fight child labour is its work on poverty eradication, especially in African Countries.