ILO and Child Labour Regulation in China – Prospects and Complexities

Abstract

This chapter reviews the implementation in China of the ILO core Conventions on child labour, the Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182. Specific features of China’s developing labour law system and related infrastructure are paid attention to, with a particular focus on the powers of local authorities. Although local governments may advance business interests at the cost of labour protection there are also experience and prospects of creating implementation tools through local legislation. This chapter highlights the need to strengthen the role of labour inspectors in monitoring compliance with the ban on child labour. The need to make some amendments to Chinese legislation in order to make it fully meet the requirements of the ILO child labour Conventions is also discussed. The chapter identifies and considers steps in China towards more effective implementation of the ILO core Conventions on child labour, also supported by ILO activities.