Buenos Aires, November 14 (EFE) .- The general director of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, said today in Buenos Aires before thousands of representatives of almost two hundred of countries that will not be possible to eradicate child labor before 2025 if states do not work "more and better".

"The goals can not be clearer and neither the uncomfortable reality of that if we do not do more and better we will not get it, so instead of looking for excuses, let's work on our actions, "said Ryder during the opening ceremony, which was attended by about a thousand people, from the IV Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labor.

This conference, which will bring together companies, foundations and governments until Thursday of 190 countries, seeks to reduce the current figures, which indicate that there are 152 million children victims of child labor and 25 million people in forced labor, including 5.7 millions of children, the director recalled.

This meeting organized by the Argentine Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, with the support of the ILO, takes place within the framework of the goal 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, which establishes the eradication of child labor by 2025.

Ryder stressed that, from the first conference, held in Norway in 1997, "child labor has been reduced by almost 100 million worldwide".

However, of those who are still in an irregular situation, which is "almost 1 in 10", "almost half do dangerous work and it is necessary to recognize that the progress made is very unequal," he insisted.

On the day of welcome they were present, among others, the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security of Argentina, Jorge Triaca; Zawells; "learn from our experiences".

The Argentine Daniel Funes de Rioja, who is former president of the International Organization of Entrepreneurs, denounced the "worrisome and lamentable reality" who demonstrate this data and argued that "there is no reason to justify continued abuse of this nature".

Ryder insisted that we should not limit ourselves to fight the symptoms, but to attack "the deep and systemic causes", and established several fronts with which to promote sustainable development.

By way of summary, established the "full application" of international standards, the implementation of "well-achieved" labor market policies, "social protection against poverty and insecurity" and education universal quality accessible to all as the key points to achieve the goal 8.7.

As a closing, Ryder launched a petition to those present and asked that Buenos Aires "be the place in the that the international community finally decided to do everything "to" end abuses that have no place in any of our countries and no longer tolerate the intolerable. "

The meeting counted also with a message of encouragement from Pope Francis, who called for "dialogue, creativity and vigor" to find ways for sustainable development.

The ILO encompasses governments, employers and workers from 187 countries to establish labor standards, formulate policies and develop programs that promote decent work for women and men.