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

Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. First National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings 2007–10 (I PNCTSH). Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) mandated to coordinate and implement the I PNCTSH undertook several measures against trafficking in minors. The CIG took initiative for the development of sensitization programmes on the prevention, protection and support offered to victims of trafficking. The CIG also launched several public awareness activities in schools on trafficking which were incorporated into the school curriculum. It also notes the Government’s indication that, within the framework of I PNCTSH, child victims of trafficking were provided with protection, medical, psychological and legal assistance as well as access to the education system under the same conditions as Portuguese nationals. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the evaluation and assessment report process of the I PNCTSH has led to the establishment of the Second National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings (II PNCTSH) which lays special emphasis on trafficking in children. According to the Government’s report, the II PNCTSH focuses on four strategies namely: knowledge, awareness and prevention; education and training; protection and assistance; and criminal investigation and cooperation. The Committee notes that the II PNCTSCH was approved on 20 November 2010 and will be implemented during 2011–13. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the II PNCTSH, and the results achieved with regard to combating the trafficking of children under 18 years for labour and sexual purposes.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clauses (a) and (b). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour and providing assistance for their removal from the worst forms of child labour. Access to education. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the Programme for Social Inclusion and Citizenship (PIEC), which succeeded the Programme for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour, targets the organization and implementation of integrated responses for children and young persons who are socially excluded and are at risk, in order to help them reintegrate into the school system and complete compulsory education. In this regard, the PIEC launched the Integrated Programme for Education and Training (PIEF) to enable children who are victims of the worst forms of child labour to receive academic and vocational diplomas. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that the PIEC through a protocol of cooperation with the Institute for Child Support (IAC) adopted a multidisciplinary approach to issues affecting children and young people in order to find and formulate responses at the level of prevention. The protocol focuses on victims of the worst forms of child labour and promotes their integration and development through the application of effective preventive measures in their residential communities with priority placed on education and training. The Committee also notes the Government’s information with regard to the measures taken to provide access to other forms of education to children who are not registered in the formal schools such as: vocational courses; education and training courses; specialised courses in the arts; technology courses; and the National Qualification System which brings together vocational training within the education system. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that all these courses are offered by the network of State schools run by the Ministry of Education.

Moreover, in response to the Committee’s requests on improving the functioning of the education system, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that with the launching of the “New Opportunities Initiative” in 2005, there has been a marked increase in the number of pupils enrolled in each cycle of the primary and secondary education. It notes the Government’s indication that in the 2008–09 academic year, 1,215,280 children were enrolled in primary education (first, second and third cycle) and 1,952,114 children were enrolled in secondary education. With regard to the drop-out rates at the primary level, the Government report indicates a decrease from 18.4 per cent in the 2006–07 academic year to 13.5 per cent in the 2009–10 academic year. At the secondary level, the drop-out rates have decreased from 24.6 per cent in 2006–07 to 18.9 per cent in 2009–10. It also notes the Government’s indication that the overall drop-out rates have decreased from 31.2 per cent in 2009 to 28.7 per cent in 2010.

Commercial sexual exploitation. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that during the period from 2009 10, five child victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation were identified and placed in the Casa Abrigo shelter for victims. In addition, two child victims of Romanian nationality were provided with protection and assistance and were repatriated.

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 as well as measures for their rehabilitation and social integration. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the IAC-Street Project team has participated in a European research project on the situation of homeless children in different European countries and has developed a software called “8 Steps Model”. This software facilitated the accurate computerization of data of each runaway case and has enabled the delivery of appropriate interventions in each case. The Committee notes that in 2010, 39 runaway minors (30 girls and 9 boys) between the ages of 13 and 18 years were identified by the IAC-Street Project team and were provided with health and psychological support, and education and training as well as assistance in resolving their problems. The Committee further notes the Government’s information that the IAC also consists of a group working to curb child begging which works along with the Public Security Police to identify child beggars. The Committee requests the Government to continue taking measures to protect street children from the worst forms of child labour, and to provide the necessary assistance for their rehabilitation and social integration.