Mongolia: report reveals problems of child labour

Mongolia: New ICFTU report reveals problems of child labour

Brussels, 15 March 2005 (ICFTU Online): The ICFTU today released a new report on core labour standards in Mongolia, coinciding with the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) review of the country's trade policy review which takes place this week. The report shows a number of shortcomings in the application and enforcement of core labour standards.

Although Mongolia has ratified both child labour conventions of the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), child labour does occur, mainly in the informal economy, petty trade, animal herding, and mining. Studies in the mining sector show that children are employed in different mining activities, in outside pits but also underground where they have to carry sacks of ore. Some of them are involved in activities such as amalgamation and burning of milled ore by mercury and a number of children show symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning.

Furthermore, the report notes that a number of provisions in the country's labour code concerning the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are not in line with ILO Conventions. For example, the right to organise is restricted to citizens and employees who have an employment contract. In addition, the labour code allows for public authority intervention in collective bargaining, strikes in essential services are prohibited, and third parties are not allowed to intervene in collective bargaining or to organise a strike.

Click the following link to download the full report: http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991221358&Language=EN The ICFTU represents 145 million workers in 233 affiliated organisations in 154 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a partner in Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org

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