AN APPEAL TO PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA, SENATE PRESIDENT BLAS F. OPLE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY DOMINGO A. SIAZON, LABOR SECRETARY BIENVENIDO E. LAGUESMA, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRI-PARTITE INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL, AND HEADS OF OTHER CONCERNED INSTITUTIONS:

We, concerned students from various schools and universities across the Philippines, in unity with the world's 250 million working children forced to labor for survival even under inhumane and exploitative conditions, are seeking the immediate and swift ratification of the new International Labor Organization Convention 182.

Whereas, ILO Convention 182, which concerns the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, obligates any ratifying government to combat and immidiately act on the problem.

The convention also supplements other international instruments -- such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Convention Against Slavery (1926 and 1956), Minimum Age Convention ILO 138, and 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women -- by recognizing that all children under the age of 18 must be protected from the worst forms of child labor.

For us, "ending the worst forms of child labor" means:

• to abolish child slavery and servitude;
• to stop child trafficking;
• to cease forced conscription of children in armed conflicts;
• to end child prostitution and pornography;
• to illegalize the use of children for crimes, including drug trafficking; and,
• to prevent, rescue and heal children involved in work that harm their health, safety and morals.

The convention also stipulates a built-in consultation with employers, trade unions and other concerned groups in identifying what are the worst forms of child labor, and binds governments to develop a way to monitor its implementation.

"Well done, is well said," the adage goes. As the convention stipulates that after such consultations have occured, governments must start programs of action, including penalizing offenders. Recognizing the importance of education in ending child labor, it further prescribes the government to:

• prevent children from entering hazardous work;
• reach out to and rescue children at risk;
• help educate and rehabilitate children leaving harmful work; and
• make special efforts for girl child laborers.

Finally, the convention provides a framework for the international community for governments to help each other in this new global cause.

The Philippines is acknowledged within the international community to have a strong legal framework on child protection. The government has signed related instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO 138 on the minimum age of employment. The constitution declares the promotion of children's rights and welfare as among its core beliefs. RA 7610/7658 was enacted, and used successfully by victims, as a major tool against child abuse. Recently, new guidelines on hazardous work has been issued by no less than the labor secretary himself (DOLE Department Order No. 4).

Yet as we turn to the new millennium, our nation's leaders young and old shall, without choice , inherit the 3.7 million working children, symbol of our generation's shame. There is much that remains to be done for our children and their families who still have to directly benefit from touted economic prosperity, technological advancement, sweeping political changes and leapbound recognition of human rights in its multi-facets.

Mr. President, our country is not spared from the reality that millions of children still work in hazardous occupations such as mining and quarrying, deap-sea fishing, scavenging, firework making, prostitution and armed conflicts. A greater majority continue to work to help their parents, to support themselves to school, or simply, to survive. They deserve no less than our full attention.

A timely ratification of ILO 182 raises urgency to endorse landmark legislations such as House Bill 6758, Senate Bill 1530, and HB 8862 or Batas Kasambahay. Your immediate response shall stir broader and protracted responses among fellow students, teachers, religious groups, policy-makers, media, artists and even local government officials.

This is a people's convention. Para ito sa masa, sa mga anakpawis. It was unanimously adopted by 143 countries, including the Philippines, at the June 17, 1999 ILO General Conference after a successful six months children's campaign, a global march that kicked off in Manila to cross 81 countries of different cultures, economic achievements, moral standpoints, and social consciousness. It was lovingly crafted, heatedly debated on, and continuously consulted with the very people it shall ultimately affect. Now, we are bringing it back to all of you for ratification.

While we recognize that we need to give our people more opportunities to rise from the economic meltdown, using child labor in its worst forms does not mean more jobs. It just means perpetuating the cycle of lost childhood, and delaying the agony of mere survival for our nation's children. We hence affirm the position of the NGOs, trade unions, employers, and children's groups within the Global March Against Child Labor calling for justice for victims, quality and relevant education for all, and for government to seek lasting solutions to poverty. We henceforth affirm to share this responsibility with the Civil Society which is more than ready to forward the working children's struggle from exploitation to education.

Mr. President, members of the Cabinet, time is not on our side. Let us take the decisive steps now! Let us brace the new millennium by putting our children first, because those in danger can no longer wait! LAGDAAN ANG ILO 182, ANG KOMBENSYON PARA IPAGBAWAL AT AKSYONAN AGAD ANG MGA PINAKAMASAMANG URI NG PATRABAHO SA KABATAAN!