CMNT_TITLE

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Togo (RATIFICATION: 2000)

Other comments on C182

Observation

Direct Request

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Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a national plan of action against child labour (PAN) was undergoing technical approval and the process of adoption was under way.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on the adoption of the PAN. However, it notes that, according to the Government’s report, 11 action programmes for children at risk or victims of domestic labour, street vending, commercial sexual exploitation and hazardous work in agriculture are under way in various regions and districts of the country. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide details of the specific measures taken in the context of the PAN and other action programmes for the elimination of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved through the implementation of these measures in relation to the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indications in its report that a large number of children in Togo do not have the opportunity to attend school. It also noted that the portion of the state budget allocated to education is insufficient to enable the actual abolition of school fees. In addition, one third of children have no access to primary education, with girls, children living in remote areas and children with disabilities being at particular risk of not attending school. The repetition rate is very high and the completion rate in primary education remains very low, especially among girls. There are not enough schools, and the teaching infrastructure and resources remain insufficient and unsuitable.

The Committee notes that the Government, as part of a plan to reduce the factors linked to the trafficking of girls, has established a canteen programme in rural schools to encourage school enrolment and attendance for all children, especially girls. However, it notes that the Government does not provide any information on the measures taken to improve the education system. Recalling that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to take steps to improve the functioning of the education system through measures intended, inter alia, to increase the school attendance and completion rates and reduce school drop-out rates, particularly in rural areas.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. 1. Regional cooperation relating to the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Togo had concluded several multilateral agreements with neighbouring countries (including Benin and Ghana, members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)) as part of measures to combat the trafficking of children. The Committee also noted that discussions were under way with Nigeria with a view to signing a bilateral agreement to combat the trafficking of children.

The Committee notes the lack of information from the Government on the conclusion of the bilateral agreement with Nigeria to combat the trafficking of children or regarding the impact of the various multilateral and bilateral agreements already in place. However, it indicates that a bilateral agreement with Gabon to combat the trafficking of children is due to be signed. The Committee strongly encourages the Government once again to continue its efforts and take measures to cooperate with countries that are signatories to the abovementioned multilateral cooperation agreements, strengthening security measures at borders with a view to detecting and intercepting child victims of trafficking and apprehending and arresting persons operating in child trafficking networks. It requests the Government once again to provide information on the results achieved in this respect. It also requests the Government to provide information on progress made with regard to the conclusion of bilateral agreements with Gabon and Nigeria.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that over 60 per cent of the Togolese population was living under the poverty threshold, with a particularly high rate in rural areas. It also noted that the Government was increasing initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of at-risk groups, especially by implementing social security projects with assistance from the World Bank, namely: the community development project, providing school meals to some 38,000 children in primary schools in the most vulnerable areas of the country and creating jobs in public works for 25,000 rural youngsters; and the pilot project for the transfer of funds to 11,490 children between 0 and 24 months and pregnant women in the Savanes and Kara regions. Noting the lack of information provided on this matter, the Committee reminds the Government that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the circle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any significant impact of the implementation of the abovementioned social projects on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.