ILO to launch campaign against child labour at Nations Cup

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) will on Friday launch a campaign against child labour, dubbed "Red Card to Child Labour", at the start of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament in Mali's capital, Bamako.

The UN agency statement on Tuesday, said the campaign was symbolized by the red card handed out by referees for serious violations of soccer rules. Malian President Alpha Oumar Konare, the Confederation of African Football, and the 2002 African Cup Organising Committee are expected to attend the opening ceremony. The campaign against child labour is to brought to other venues worldwide, including the World Cup.

"Child labour is neither a sport nor a pastime," ILO Director-General Juan Somavia said. "Child labourers work hard - on the farms, in mines and quarries, or as domestic servants. Some are trafficked into slave-like conditions or prostitution. Millions are condemned to lifelong poverty and despair. Now, working hand in hand with the world's most popular sport, we hope to galvanize the global campaign against child labour with this potent symbol - the red card that means you're out of the game."

According to ILO, Africa is home to 40 percent (about 80 million) of the world's child workers. Of the 115 countries ratifying Convention No. 182, 30 are African, including the first two ratifying states (Seychelles and Malawi).