GENEVA (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) will launch its "Red Card to Child Labour" campaign this week to coincide with the start of the 2002 African Cup of Nations that begins Saturday (Jan. 19) in Bamako, Mali.

The new campaign against the use of child labour is symbolized by the red card handed out by referees for serious violations of rules on the soccer field.

The ILO, which aims to take its initiative worldwide to include the World Cup, will formally launch the campaign at a signing ceremony Friday involving President Alpha Oumar Konare of Mali and cosponsors from the Confédération africaine de football (CAF) and the Comité d'organisation de la Coupe d'Afrique des Nations (COCAN) 2002.

"Child labour is neither a sport nor a pastime," said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. "Child labourers work hard - on the farms, in mines and quarries, or as domestic servants. Some are trafficked into slave-like conditions or prostitution. Millions are condemned to lifelong poverty and despair. Now, working hand in hand with the world's most popular sport, we hope to galvanize the global campaign against child labour with this potent symbol - the red card that means you're out of the game."

The initiative aims to seize on the popularity of the African Cup of Nations 2002 to generate the widest possible public awareness of the harsh reality of child labour and encourage people to support the global movement against it. The campaign adds a new, symbolic element to the global struggle against child labour, exemplified by the rapid ratification by over 100 countries of ILO's most recent labour standard, the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182 adopted in 1999.

While Africa today is home to some 40 per cent, or about 80 million, of the world's child workers, the continent has in many ways led the way in the struggle against child labour, especially in its worst forms. Of the 115 countries ratifying Convention No. 182, 30 are from Africa, including the first two ratifying states (Seychelles and Malawi).

Following the launch of the "Red Card" campaign in Africa, the ILO plans to pursue the initiative to Latin America, Asia and Europe. The ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), which is running the campaign, is active in 75 countries, removing children from abusive child labour, providing them with rehabilitation and education and providing their families with income-generating possibilities.