Posted: Monday, 5 October 2009

OTTAWA – The Canadian Labour Congress says that federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers should immediately ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention 138 on Minimum Age. The Convention seeks to prevent conditions that foster child labour beyond doing light work under some conditions.

“It is embarrassing that Canada is in the company of countries like Afghanistan, Burma, India, Iran and Korea, who are well-known for their questionable child labour practices and have not yet ratified this convention,” says Barbara Byers, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The CLC has released a list of federal and provincial legislation which is in non-compliance with the Convention. “We don’t have to study this problem any longer,” Byers says. “We want all Canadian jurisdictions to take concrete steps toward immediate ratification.”

Young worker representatives have hand-delivered a statement to every labour minister in Canada reminding them of this country’s 12-year-old responsibility to ratify Convention 138. The statement says that the Canadian government has taken too long in negotiating changes to non-complying legislation across the country.

The national action by young workers occurs on October 7, the World Day for Decent Work, which embraces the ILO definition of workers’ rights. The Canadian activities are among worldwide events highlighting the need for proper minimum labour standards, which are needed particularly during times of economic crisis.

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca

Contact: Dennis Gruending, CLC Communications. Tel: 613-526-7431 or 613-878-6040 cell.