GENEVA — The International Labor Organization on Tuesday welcomed a global agreement to combat the worst forms of child labor as the first time all of its member states have ratified a convention — in a process that lasted 21 years. The 101-year-old United Nations agency that brings together governments, business and workers groups says ratification formalized Tuesday by Pacific archipelago Tonga means all 187 members have ratified the convention. It was the fastest ratification of a convention at ILO. Such forms of child labor “have no place in our society,” he added. The Geneva-based agency estimates 152 million children are involved in labor, with more than two-thirds of the work linked to agriculture.

Source: International New York Times August 04, 2020 14:48 UTC