Commission Staff Working Document – Combating Child Labour

This staff working document from the European Commission presents the subject of “Combating Child Labour” , which is to identify and assess current efforts to combat child labour in general and eliminate the worst forms of child labour in particular. The paper seeks to identify and assess current EU policy options and instruments to combat child labour and puts forward a number of questions which aim to contribute to further discussion with the Council, the European Parliament and stakeholders on possible further measures to support the EU fight against child labour. In the report, child labour covers children under 17 years old in active employment to the detriment of their education and personal development, and is divided into two categories — work that may jeopardise health, safety or morals; and forced labour, including slavery and child trafficking.