A delegation from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has presented documents ratifying two important Conventions for ending child labour to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Conventions are the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention 1999 (No. 182) and the Minimum Age Convention 1973 (No. 138).  They are two of the ILO’s eight so-called core conventions that govern fundamental standards on forced labour, discrimination, freedom of association, as well as child labour,

These are the first conventions thatLaoshas ratified for more than 40 years. In 1964, the year the country became a member of the ILO, itratitifiedfour conventions ¹

The Lao Acting Minister from the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare, Mr. Le Kakanhya presented the instruments of ratification to the ILO’s Director General, Mr. Juan Somavia at a meeting at the United Nations headquarters inGeneva, the Palais des Nations. The ILO’s annual meeting, the International Labour Conference, is currently being held at the Palais des Nations.

The Minister was accompanied by Mr. Sengdavone Bangonesengdet, Chief of the Employers’ Bureau Activities at the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Bosaykham Vongdara, Acting President of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions; and Mr. Sisouvan Tandavong, Director General, Department of Labour at the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony Mr. Le Kakanhya said, “It is a greathonourfor the Lao delegation to have this opportunity to submit these documents to the Director General. Our visit today is particularly significant because the Lao delegation is a tripartite one, including representatives of employers and trade unions as well as the government”.

The ILO Director General, Mr. Juan Somavia said “It is a very important occasion when governments ratify ILO conventions, and Conventions 138 and 182 are particularly significant. Ending child labour means making sure parents have jobs and children go to school. This is not always easy but signing a convention indicates a strong national commitment. I am particularly happy to receive these documents from a delegation representing workers, employers and the government because it shows the strength of this commitment in Laos ”.

For more information please contact,
Sophy Fisher
ILO Regional Information Officer for Asia
fisher@ilo.org

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¹ The conventions ratified in 1964 were Night Work (Women) Convention, 1919 (No. 4): Night Work for Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 6): White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13); Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)