Child labour in Europe and Central Asia
Child labour estimates cited the ILO’s 2006 Global Report on child labour suggest a decline in the number of children working in the transition economies in Europe and Central Asia. Economic growth and poverty reduction linked with political commitment to combating child labour have led to significant progress. Europe’s rate of ratification of both the ILO Child Labour Conventions has been very encouraging. Only three of 49 countries have yet to ratify the ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and only three have not yet ratified the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182. With the support of national partners, IPEC has begun to elaborate and integrate exit strategies in projects carried out in Central and Eastern Europe.
Despite the positive picture overall, there are still some areas where child labour is endemic. In Central Asia and the Caucasus, many street children fall victim to the worst forms of child labour and many rural children perform hazardous work in agriculture. In addition, children from rural areas are commonly trafficked to urban centres or wealthier countries for labour exploitation, including commercial sexual exploitation.