Convention (No. 182) concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour .

Convention No. 182 is an international labor standard established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor. It was adopted by the ILO in 1999 and is one of the fundamental international instruments aimed at protecting children from exploitation and hazardous work.

The purpose of Convention No. 182 is to provide a framework for countries to take immediate and effective measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. It sets out guidelines and obligations for governments to address and combat child labor in all its forms.

According to the convention, the worst forms of child labor include:

1. All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, and serfdom.
2. The use, procuring, or offering of a child for prostitution, the production of pornography, or pornographic performances.
3. The use, procuring, or offering of a child for illicit activities, such as drug trafficking.
4. Work that is likely to harm the health, safety, or morals of children, such as hazardous work involving dangerous machinery, heavy loads, or exposure to harmful substances.
5. Work that interferes with a child’s education by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school or requiring them to combine work with excessively long hours or heavy physical or mental exertion.

Under Convention No. 182, governments are required to take legislative, administrative, and social measures to ensure the effective prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. These measures include providing appropriate penalties and sanctions for violators, ensuring access to education and social services for affected children, and implementing programs for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of child laborers.

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Convention No. 182 has been ratified by 187 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted international labor standards. However, I do not have access to the most up-to-date information, so it’s recommended to consult the ILO or other authoritative sources for the latest updates on the number of ratifications.