Along with our European Union partners, Ireland considers that the International Labour Organisation, ILO, remains the most appropriate forum for advancing respect for, and compliance with, agreed labour standards.
In June 1999, the ILO adopted Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Ireland was the first EU member state to ratify this Convention on 20 December 1999. The onus is on individual ILO member states to ensure that their national legislation and practice are in conformity with that convention.
With a view to promoting a better understanding of the relationship between trade policy, trade liberalisation, development and fundamental human rights, the European Union is proposing the establishment of a broad and regular dialogue on trade and social development, which should include, but not be limited to, the issue of core labour standards. Such a dialogue should involve the ILO, WTO, UNCTAD, World Bank and other international organisations and could be launched in advance of the next WTO ministerial meeting.
