Interview with former ILO leader Kari Tapiola about child labour

In 2023 we celebrate the centenary of the Declaration of the rights of the child adopted by the International Union for Children's Relief in 1923. The ILO, which was founded in 1919, laid the foundations for the international regulations of children's labour rights. From more than a century child labour has been a lasting combat for the ILO. The editorial team of geneveMonde.ch decided to interview a major actor in this field of expertise : Mr. Kari Tapiola.

Kari Tapiola has been with the ILO since 1996. This Finnish labour expert and former trade unionist was ILO 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 political secretary to the Minister of 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 Governing Body, representing Nordic workers, for five years. He participated in his first International Labour Conference as a delegate of the workers from Finland in 1974. At the 1991-1996 conferences, he was vice-chairman of the Committee on Workers' Resolutions.

Kari Tapiola is interviewed by Véronique Stenger and David Glaser.