ILO calls for action against hazardous forms of child labour

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report issued for World Day Against Child Labour 2011, has warned that a staggeringly high number of children are still caught in hazardous work. The report, issued to mark the day being observed on Sunday, with the theme, "Children in hazardous work: what we know, what we need to do," cites studies from both industrialised and developing countries.
It has indicated that every minute of every day, a child labourer somewhere in the world suffers a work-related accident, illness or psychological trauma. The report also says that although the overall number of children aged 5 to 17 in hazardous work declined between 2004 and 2008, the number aged 15-17 actually increased by 20 percent during the same period, from 52 million to 62 million.
Despite important progress over the last decade, the number of children in child labour world-wide and particularly in hazardous work remains high, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. Governments, employers and workers were urged to act together to give strong leadership in shaping and implementing the policies and action that can end child labour.