On 19 November, the International Labour Organisation's Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No.182 will come in to force. Under this, it is illegal for children to be engaged in all forms of slavery. It also prohibits forced and compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; the use of children for prostitution or pornographic activities; procuring or offering children for illicit activities; and work likely to harm a child's health, safety or morals.

At the annual ILO conference in June 1999, the Convention received unanimous support from its members. Since then, child labour and related organisations have led a drive to get as many of the ILO's 175 member states to ratify this key convention.

To date, 49 countries have ratified Convention No.182: Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States of America and Yemen have all ratified the convention. A number of countries have agreed to sign later this year.

Ratification is the first essential step towards eliminating the worst forms of child labour in all countries around the world. Successful implementation is crucial for its effectiveness in protecting children from hazardous forms of labour.