Kari Tapiola has been with the ILO since 1996. The Finnish labour expert and former unionist served as Deputy Director-General and Executive Director from 1996 to 2010. Since October 2010 he has been Special Adviser to the Director-General of the ILO.

Kari Tapiola worked in Finland as a journalist (1966-1972) and as the Political Secretary of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1972. He was International Secretary of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) in 1972. Before joining the Office Mr. Tapiola was a member of the ILO’s Governing Body, representing the Nordic Workers, for five years. He attended his first International Labour Conference as a Workers’ delegate of Finland in 1974. In the Conferences 1991-1996 he was Workers’ Vice-President of the Resolutions Committee.

In this 9th part, Kari Tapula talks about the fact that children participated in the debate about child labour at the ILO in the early 2000's and also mentions the opposition of certain developing countries' governments, who did not want to discuss the issue of child labour.

To listen to the 10th part, please click here.

Photo courtesy of the ILO, children carrying child labour placards during 2017 World Day Against Child Labour cerebrations.