Vol. 516 No. 5
110 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, she will take to encourage the inclusion of a social clause in international labour standards particularly with regard to the abolition of child labour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8019/00]
Ireland has consistently supported the International Labour Organisation in its efforts to promote core labour standards. In June 1998, Ireland supported the adoption by the international labour conference of a Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. This commits the International Labour Organisation's 174 member states to respect the principles inherent in seven core labour standards and to promote their universal application. Ireland has now ratified all of the seven core labour standards.
In June 1999 the international labour conference adopted convention No. 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Ireland registered its ratification of that convention on 20 December 1999 and was the first European country to do so.
Ireland has in the past and will continue to support the promotion of core labour standards and this commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
