Estonia becomes 100th State to ratify treaty banning child labour, UN reports

The International Labour Organization (ILO) announced today that Estonia had become the 100th member state to ratify the Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour - an international treaty banning the most abusive, exploitative forms of work for children.

"This historic milestone shows beyond a doubt that the world is uniting to combat the most abusive forms of child labour," said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. "The world is now closer to achieving the dream of stamping out the worst forms of child labour and giving millions of children a chance to have a better life."

The treaty, also known as ILO Convention No. 182, was unanimously adopted two years ago by the International Labour Conference, and came into force on 19 November 2000. ILO officials hope for near-universal ratification by the end of 2003.

The convention bans slavery and similar practices, such as the sale and trafficking of children, forced or compulsory labour, debt bondage and serfdom. It also outlaws child prostitution and child pornography. In addition, the treaty prohibits the use of children in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, and all work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of children.