India opposes linking trade with core labour standards

India today opposed linking trade with core labour standards stressing the problem should be tackled through an "open and constructive approach".
Addressing the second regional workshop on child labour for SAARC countries, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Kodikunnil Suresh stressed the scourge can be addressed only when there are efforts to strike at the root cause of child labour and convergence welfare schemes.
"India has been opposing linkages between trade and core labour standards in various international fora. We urge upon all member-states to work towards open, constructive and collaborative action against child labour for effective results and increased success," he said.

India's arguement is that by linking trade with labour standards, developed countries are trying to undercut the developing countries' advantage of low labour costs.
The Minister, though, reassured the government is committed to eliminating the worst forms of child labour as legislations have been enacted to abolish bonded labour, prevent child trafficking, illegal trading in narcotic drugs and administration of juvenile justice.
"We cannot abandon our responsibility towards the world's children for whom child labour is a matter of survival. We must now reassert our conviction that a world without child labour," he said.
The government is also in the process of amending the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act which will enable India to ratify ILO conventions 138 and 182, he added.

"The world cannot grow wary of the cause when 215 million children are losing their childhood and the chance of a better future. With the will, the means are there to do better and to do more," he said.