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

Other comments on C182

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Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Second National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings 2011–13 (II PNCTSH). The Committee previously noted the adoption of the II PNCTSH which laid special emphasis on trafficking in children and focuses on four strategies, namely: knowledge, awareness and prevention; education and training; protection and assistance; and criminal investigation and cooperation.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that within the framework of the II PNCTSH an international conference on the theme “Domestic servitude and forced begging: Invisible forms of trafficking for labour exploitation” was organized in order to increase awareness of the problem of human trafficking and to encourage the exchange of good practices with a view to combating human trafficking. This conference was organized by: the Observatory on Trafficking in Human Beings (OTSH) in the Ministry of the Interior with support from the Committee on Citizens’ Freedoms and Rights; Justice and Home Affairs; the International Labour Organization; the International Organization for Migration; the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; well-known national and international speakers from Antislavery International; the Baltic Sea States; End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes; and the Austrian National Coordinator on Combating Human Trafficking. This conference led to the adoption and publication of a brochure in May 2013 on begging and other forms of exploitation involving minors which contains general information on this problem and includes indicators as well as a contact list.

The Committee also notes from the Government’s report that the OTSH has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 22 governmental and non-governmental entities as well as with the Institute for Child Support (IAC) with a view to the adoption and use of a Dynamic Application Database System for monitoring and publicizing trafficking in human beings. Moreover, several training and awareness-raising programmes were initiated within the scope of the II PNCTSCH, such as the cue card for victims of trafficking in human beings which provides a description on dealing with child victims of trafficking; the Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners; and “Inhuman Trafficking”, a travelling exhibit which was displayed in 13 municipalities and three secondary schools. In addition, the Social Security Institute prepared a sectoral plan setting out the measures in reporting trafficking on the basis of the number of victims who receive care and assistance through the emergency hotline, the district centres, the shelter and the protection centre. The Committee finally notes the Government’s information that according to the data provided by the state monitoring authorities and the OTSH, from 2008 to 2012, a total of 17 child victims of trafficking were identified including 15 girls, of which 11 cases related to trafficking for sexual exploitation and three cases each for labour exploitation and adoption.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying children at special risk. Street children, begging and other circumstances that put children at risk. The Committee previously noted that the IAC, through the “Street Project”, had carried out various preventive and training measures for street children, children at risk, school dropouts, child victims of sexual exploitation and runaway children as well as measures for their rehabilitation and social integration.

The Committee notes from the IAC “Street Project” report that from 2011–13, a total of 209 young persons (below 21 years) were withdrawn from difficult situations and provided assistance by the two centres for development and inclusion of children, while 310 young persons were prevented from falling victims to such situations. In addition, 224 families benefited from the services and assistance provided by this project.