The end of child labour : within reach. Global report under the Follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Report of the Director-General, 2006

Presents a global picture tracing child labour trends and outlines national progress and the policies that underpin it. Highlights the progress being made in reducing child labour around the world and examines ILO action on child labour since 2002. Explores key policy issues and global challenges presented by mainstreaming child labour into broader development frameworks, the special plight of Africa, and strengthening the worldwide movement.

This report provides a comprehensive view of the progress made in eradicating child labour. Intriguingly, the evidence indicates that a future without child labour may at last be within our grasp. If offers new global estimates and highlights trends and areas where the international community is turning the tide of the tragedy of child labour. However, it is clear that a strong and sustained global movement is still needed to ensure that the scourge of child labour will be eliminated. It explores key policy issues and the global challenges presented by mainstreaming child labour into broader development frameworks, the special plight of Africa, and strengthening the worldwide movement. An action plan is presented, built around specific targets showing how combating child labour can have a catalytic effect, combined with other efforts, to achieve basic changes in human rights and human security.