India, Brazil to jointly tackle child labour
India and Brazil will share experiences on combating child labour. This was agreed on the sidelines of International Labour Conference in Geneva. This comes in the wake of a major initiative signed between Brazil and ILO last year to promote South-South cooperation for the prevention and elimination of the practice.
Geneva: India and Brazil agreed to share experiences in combating child labour in the spirit of South-South cooperation.
The Ministers of Labour from both countries met on the sidelines of International Labour Conference in Geneva.
This comes as a follow up to the Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the Government of Brazil and the International Labour Organisation in 2007, which aimed at “promoting horizontal technical cooperation project and activities” towards the prevention and elimination of child labour, especially in its worst forms, in accordance with the international commitments assumed by each country.
The meeting of the two ministers on South-South Cooperation was on the initiative of workers and employers' organisations of the two countries.
- Indian Labour minister with his Brazilian counterpart / Photo credit: ILO
In the one hour meeting, both countries discussed largely on the pivotal Role of education to combat child labour as well as school free meals initiatives And employment generation for the families thus providing better opportunities to the children and their families.
Oscar Fernandes, who is leading the Indian delegation at the International Labour Conference, Geneva, presented the instrument of Ratification for Convention 174 on the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention, 1993 to Director-General, ILO Juan Somavia on June 6.
Earlier, in response to an ILO report referring to India’s non-ratification of Convention 87 (freedom of association) and Convention 98 (collective bargaining), Fernandes, said that the country’s national laws and policies ensure the rights at work including freedom of association and collective bargaining.
However, to ensure impartiality and political neutrality, India has imposed some reasonable restrictions on public servants. The minister said that the Indian Constitution guarantees them a high degree of job security and also the right to form or join associations.
The minister acknowledged ILO’s recognition of trade unions in informal economy in India and cited several flagship schemes of the government, which are expected improve the employment conditions in the informal sector.
