ILO’s Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour: Challenges for Its Application in Latin America
ILO’s Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour: Challenges for Its Application in Latin America

Summary/Abstract: Child labour, including its “worst forms”, is spread in Latin America. According to the UnitedNations Children’s Fund, the number of children engaged in work increased by 8.4 million between2016 and 2020, marking the first rise since 2000, with millions more are at risk due to the impact ofthe COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, what is the role of the conventions of the InternationalLabour Organization (ILO) related to child labour, specifically Convention 182 related to its worstforms? Even though this Convention was the first to achieve universal ratification its real impact onthe situation of vulnerable children is not straightforward. This paper analyses the role of ILO con-ventions on child labour in the post-COVID scenario in Latin America and how they could contributeto improve the situation of vulnerable children in the region. A right-based approach is a valuabletool to monitor child labour, but the reinforcement of legal instruments requires an interdisciplinaryapproach together with social and economic policies. Finally, due to the specificity of the region,other issues like the naturalization of child labour demand a cultural change along with sufficientlyeffective and dissuasive penalties.

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