CMNT_TITLE

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

Other comments on C182

Observation

Direct Request

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Articles 3(d) and 4(1) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Hazardous work and determination of hazardous work. With regard to the adoption of the list of hazardous work, the Committee requests the Government to refer to its detailed comments under Article 3(3) of the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138).

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 that, since 2010, the Ministry of Education had introduced a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme for secondary students aged at least 16 years who had academic difficulty in following the school curriculum, and that the programme would eventually be offered to all students. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that various efforts have been taken to enhance the TVET programme, and that the enrolment rate has continuously increased from 2012 to 2015 with a decrease in 2016. The Committee also notes that the inclusive Education and Training Policy was launched in 2015, and that the Alternative Education Programme was implemented to support students with learning difficulties and behavioural challenges. However, it also notes that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, in his report of 6 May 2014 (A/HRC/26/27/Add.1), expressed his concern that vocational training was seen as a career path for low-performing students and school drop-outs (paragraph 65), and that professional post-secondary institutions received inadequate funding to maintain their buildings and operate their classes with adequate raw materials (paragraph 67).

The Committee further notes that the Special Rapporteur indicated in his report that boys left school earlier to enter the workforce (paragraph 63). The Committee notes the Government’s information that the ratio of enrolled girls to boys in TVET programme has risen from 2012 to 2015, with a drop in 2016; however, the proportion of female students remains low. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue its efforts to decrease the drop-out rates and reduce the number of out-of-school children, paying special attention to boys, as well as to continue to take measures to provide adequate vocational training for girls.

Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee previously noted that the Government was taking steps to put facilities in place for the rehabilitation of victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. In addition, the Social Affairs Department was collaborating with the Ministry of Education to identify children who might be at risk of sexual exploitation. Both ministries had joint and targeted intervention strategies to better address the needs of these children and to take remedial action, including rehabilitation programmes.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that, a Standard Operating Procedure and Referral Mechanism was developed and launched in 2015 to guide actors involved in identifying and prosecuting trafficking in persons with a victim-centred approach. The Social Affairs Department also implemented mechanisms to ensure close collaboration between child protection partners and to encourage the sharing of information for early intervention. Psychosocial support was provided to victims of sexual exploitation as well. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to provide concrete information in this regard, and again requests it to provide information on the number of child victims who have been effectively rehabilitated and socially integrated.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s information that special permission is advised for employers regarding the employment of children by the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, and that a case management system has been developed by the Social Affairs Department in collaboration with the Department of Information, Communication and Technology. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sufficient data on the involvement of children in the worst forms of child labour are available. It once again requests the Government to provide statistical information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, and the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention.