By Claire Doole in Geneva

Children from around the world are gathering in Geneva, the final destination in their global march against the use of child labour.

The march was launched in the Philippines in January and has attracted thousands of supporters at events in 97 countries.

The children are from all corners of the globe; Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Some of them have been on the march since it first set off five months ago.

All of them are united in their desire to end child labour and many have had first hand experience, sent to work on construction sites, in rice fields and in clothing sweatshops, sometimes from the age of seven.

Among the marchers is a group of Indian children who toiled in the carpet industry for nothing. As bonded labour they had to work to pay off family debts.

Organisers want action now

Organisers of the march say developing countries cannot wait to eliminate poverty before they eliminate child labour.

They say poverty is no excuse and countries must do more to crack down on child exploitation.

The childrens' arrival in Geneva coincides with the opening of the International Labour Conference on Tuesday which will discuss a new convention on eliminating the worst forms of child labour.

The ILO wants members states to agree to a new convention on abolishing extreme forms of child labour, such as slavery and child prostitution.