MEP CALLS FOR ACTION TO COMBAT CHILD LABOUR

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Jul 2005

MEPs at the European Parliament today voted on a Report urging the European Commission to rethink its strategy on combating Child Labour in developing countries.

The Report constructed by the Development Committee and International Trade Committee in the European Parliament calls for radical changes to the EUs policies on the plight of 352 million children world wide working in sweatshops, agricultural fields, mines and other forms of child labour.

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne, said:

"A core element of this report has been the call for the Commission to investigate the implementation of 'child-labour free' labels for goods imported into the EU. This would create consistency between the EUs trade policies and its obligation to protect and promote children's rights.

"NGOs, trade unions, governments, and small and large multinational enterprises need to work together for the effective abolition of all forms of child labour. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the painful and distressing circumstances these children are subjected to."

Highlighting the importance of education based initiatives the Liberal Democrat MEP added:

"The need for universal education in developing countries cannot be overstated. After all, the basic lack of education and opportunity these children suffer will feed into the perpetual cycle these communities are trapped within. I welcome the initiatives of the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour as well as endorsing the measures called for by UNICEF."

ENDS