91996E2468

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2468/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (23 September 1996)

Subject: Support for the ILO's IPEC

Is the Commission supporting the ILO's very positive 'International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour' (IPEC) and, if so, how much money is involved?

Which of the EU Member States support the IPEC, and how much money is involved?

Is the Commission supporting any other projects aimed at outlawing child labour? If so, what projects, in what countries and how much money is involved in each project?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (21 November 1996)

In its Communication on the link between the trading system and internationally recognised labour standards ((COM(96) 402 final. )), the Commission, with the aim of encouraging respect of fundamental social rights, including the elimination of child labour, advocates a strengthening of the role played by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in monitoring the implementation of the international labour conventions and expresses its support for the ILO's technical assistance programmes and, in particular, the IPEC (International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour).

In the framework of bilateral cooperation, the Commission, in collaboration with the ILO, is currently preparing a pilot project which will be co-financed under the IPEC in Pakistan and will aim to eliminate child labour in that country.

On the question of the Member States' support for the IPEC, the report presenting the 1996-1997 schedule and budget, published by the ILO in October 1995, indicates that several Member States, including Belgium, Germany, Spain and France, have given financial support (p. 38).