World leaders to discuss forced child labour at ILO parley

Chamikara Weerasinghe

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa will leave for Geneva today to attend the 96th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The delegation comprises Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Foreign Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona, sources said.

Labour and Manpower Minister Athauda Seneviratna who left for Geneva a few days ago, will join the delegation.

The 3,000 plus participants at the Conference will comprise heads of state and both worker and employer representatives.

The issues to be taken up will include forced labour and child labour. It will also discuss employment in the fishing sector, equality at workplaces and the promotion of sustainable enterprises.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will make his presentation on June 15, ILO sources said.

The conference will also address the latest report of the ILO on the situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories.

The conference will consider new ILO instruments on work in the fishing industry to adopt a Convention.

The instruments aim to ensure decent working conditions for all fisherfolk, particularly on board vessels and adequate social protection.

Six heads of state and government and two crown princes will attend the conference.