Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Cameroon (RATIFICATION: 2002)

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A Government representative said that child labour was a priority issue and that it held a central place within society. That was the reason why Cameroon had ratified Convention No. 182. The objective of the Government was to remove children from labour, particularly in the agricultural sector, in order to teach them the skills for a job or to enrol them in school. He added that Act No. 2005/015 of 29 December 2005 to combat the trafficking and smuggling of children had been adopted and that the scope of application of this Act had been broadened in 2011 in order to also cover child smuggling. He emphasized that his country had adopted a national plan of action to eradicate child labour. To that end, the Committee to Combat Child Labour had been set up in April 2015. He considered that the statistics that had been published were exaggerated as they had been provided by unofficial channels. He insisted that Cameroon was resolutely determined to eradicate child labour. In that regard, he referred to the International Day for the Protection of Children, held on 2 June 2015, when UNICEF had ranked Cameroon among the 25 countries that had adopted policies on child protection, and had commended the adoption by Cameroon of Act No. 2005/015. In conclusion, he indicated that his country had established the objective of eradicating child labour by 2017.

The Employer members indicated that 56 per cent of children under the age of 14, which was the minimum age for work, were currently engaged in work, and up to 40 per cent of them (1.6 million children or 8 per cent of the entire population) were engaged in the worst forms of child labour. According to a study partially prepared by the Government in 2012, between 600,000 and 3 million children were victims of human trafficking, which accounted for up to 15 per cent of the entire population. Children were engaged in domestic work, forced street begging, industrial work and commercial sexual exploitation, including child pornography, both within and outside of the country. Despite the measures taken to resolve these issues, the Employer members pointed out that they were too few and too slow. Referring to the Convention, they added that the measures taken were not immediate and effective, or not adopted with urgency. In particular, Act No. 2005/015 did not prohibit the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities and had resulted in only a few prosecutions involving children. Additionally, the drafting of the new Child Protection Code prohibiting the use, procuring and offering of children for pornography and sexual exploitation had been in process for nine years, since 2006. They appreciated the establishment of a committee of stakeholders, including organizations of employers and workers, to combat trafficking, as well as increased vice squad monitoring, carried out in conjunction with INTERPOL, and a constantly monitored phone line for anonymous complaints and three officers on permanent standby to investigate child labour issues. The Employer members emphasized, however, that these measures were not sufficient and urged the Government to take the immediate and effective measures it had agreed to adopt in 2002 when ratifying the Convention, and also to treat this matter with the urgency required by the Convention.

The Worker members said that they welcomed the Government’s announcements concerning legislation and the targets set. It was important, however, to emphasize the urgent nature of the issue of child labour, and particularly its worst forms. The Government’s reference to pressure exerted on certain individuals to collect statistical data on child labour only served to weaken its arguments. In that regard, they observed that an alarming number of children, representing almost half the population of Cameroon, suffered economic exploitation through the worst forms of child labour, which were themselves perpetuated by the lack of an effective Government response. The labour legislation set the minimum age for admission to employment at 14 years. It was estimated that the number of children under 14 engaged in work was at least 1.5 million, or around 28 per cent of children in that age group. Around 164,000 children aged between 14 and 17 were engaged in dangerous activities. Moreover, Cameroon had not reviewed its list of hazardous occupations, as required by Act No. 17 of 1969. In fact, Act No. 17 did not prohibit underwater work or work at dangerous heights, as in the case of children employed in fishing or to harvest bananas. According to UNAIDS, there were currently some 510,000 HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon that were particularly vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour. Often deprived of adequate family support, these children had no choice but to resort to economic activity to meet their needs. Many sectors of the economy were heavily reliant on child labour, including domestic service, street vendors, mining, agriculture, transport and construction. At least half the children in rural areas worked in agriculture, while in rural areas in the north of the country, the rate was as high as three quarters, mostly in tea and cocoa plantations, where production served international supply chains. Child domestic workers, most of whom were girls, suffered particularly difficult conditions, especially working days averaging 12 to 15 hours with no specific rest day. Although social services existed, the Government did not seem to have adopted effective policies to abolish the use of child labour in domestic work.

In the northern rural areas in the country, the tradition of sending boys to study religion in Koranic schools continued to be abused to force children to beg or perform other work, giving all their earnings to religious teachers. Children were also victims of abuse on urban streets, where they were employed in petty trades and other small-scale production activities, including by their parents. These children were particularly vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour, becoming victims of trafficking, forced labour, prostitution, begging networks, networks selling and trafficking drugs, and other forms of petty crime, as well as hazardous work. According to an ILO survey, nearly 4,000 children between 11 and 17 years of age, mainly girls, were subject to commercial sexual exploitation. The procuring or offering of children under 18 for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and other illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs, was not penalized. Despite repeated appeals by the Committee of Experts since 2006, the Government had still not adopted the Child Protection Code. Up to 3 million children were victims of human trafficking in Cameroon, which was a country of origin, destination and transit. However, the Government had not taken sufficient measures to ensure exhaustive investigations and effective prosecutions in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. The anti-trafficking legislation (Act No. 2005/015) was hardly applied, while penalties constituting an effective deterrent were not imposed in practice. For example, in 2013, it was indicated that the Government had conducted ten investigations into the trafficking of children and had assisted five children who had been victims of labour exploitation. Those investigations could hardly be considered an adequate response in view of the scale of the problem. The laxity in the application of the legislation was exacerbated by the fact that the labour legislation only applied to contractual employment relationships, while the majority of children who worked had no formal employment contract. Only 81 labour inspectors were employed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which was totally inadequate for responding to the massive incidence of child labour in Cameroon. Furthermore, inspectors often did not have the necessary transport facilities or fuel to carry out their inspection tours. There were no reliable official statistics on the number of child labour violations, penalties or summonses issued, or of children assisted and provided with care following inspections. In conclusion, they emphasized the importance of the links between child labour and education. Children deprived of access to education had few alternatives to entering the job market, where they were often forced to work under hazardous conditions and were the victims of blatant exploitation. It was therefore crucial to extend access to free compulsory education in order to reduce child labour. Cameroon had fixed the age of completion of compulsory schooling at 14 years and the right to free education was provided for under Presidential Decree No. 2001/041. In practice, however, additional school fees and the cost of books and uniforms were prohibitive for many families and had been cited as the main cause of school drop-outs. Access to education was hampered by the remoteness of schools and the lack of drinking water in rural schools. In addition, at least 60 per cent of children were not registered at birth and as a result faced enormous difficulties, including with regard to education.

The Employer member of Cameroon condemned the use of child labour. However, he expressed surprise at the statistics that had been published and felt that the numbers had been exaggerated. The Government should act quickly in order to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. He recalled that his organization was a member of the Committee to Combat Child Labour, which had been mentioned by the Government representative. The Government needed to map the areas where child labour was an issue and ILO assistance would be necessary to that end.

The Worker member of Cameroon considered that the Government’s efforts to combat and eliminate the worst forms of child labour were slow to bear fruit. The social fabric had begun to unravel, exposing workers to dire poverty, and that had fostered another multidimensional form of exploitation of children in domestic work, agricultural and forestry undertakings, fishing and sex work. Despite public primary education being proclaimed as free of charge, a number of snags remained, including the requirement to pay the fees of the parent’s association, which represented an obstacle for many parents. He made it clear that in private education those rates were even higher, in some cases forcing parents to choose which of their children should enjoy the benefits of education. In such cases, boys were more likely to be given preference than girls. He noted that, despite the commendable efforts of the Government, the school enrolment rate in Cameroon remained relatively low. Enrolment rates in primary education varied by region. However, the Government had a panoply of legal texts with which to combat the worst forms of child labour. Those texts however, whether laws or other instruments, could not be successful unless a far-reaching policy was put in place by the Government. He recalled the root causes of the trafficking of children and the worst forms of child labour, including poverty, the isolation of rural areas and the search for job opportunities. He emphasized that child labour was the product of various socio-cultural and economic factors. Despite the current sociopolitical context characterized by the attacks on national territorial integrity by the Boko Haram terrorist group in the north of the country and the repeated incursions in the east by other armed groups, resulting in a growth of immigrant and displaced population groups, the Government should intensify its efforts to put a definitive end to the phenomenon. In conclusion, the efforts to combat the widespread poverty of households should constitute a major priority, as that the social responsibility of families remained the surest means of ensuring the safety of children. The political commitment of the State and the application of laws and regulations could not bear fruit without the support of the families concerned.

The Government member of Latvia, speaking on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its Member States, as well as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Iceland, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Republic of Moldova and Armenia, said that the EU was engaged in promoting the universal ratification and implementation of the eight fundamental ILO Conventions as part of its human rights strategy. The EU called on all countries to protect and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms to which their people were entitled. The EU wished to recall the commitment made by Cameroon under the Cotonou Agreement, the framework for Cameroon’s cooperation with the EU, to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights principles, which included the abolition of the worst forms of child labour. Compliance with Convention No. 182 was essential in this respect. Noting that the Committee of Experts requested the Government to take all the necessary measures to ensure that investigations and thorough prosecutions were carried out with respect to persons engaged in the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age, the EU encouraged the Government to reinforce the capacity of the authorities responsible for Act No. 2005/015. Noting that the Child Protection Code had been in the process of adoption since 2006, she urged the Government to take the necessary measures for the adoption of the Code. The Government was also urged to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the implementation of the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (PANETEC) in the very near future, in particular by removing children from the worst forms of child labour, including hazardous types of work. The EU was concerned by the apparent increase in the numbers of children who were HIV/AIDS orphans. Expressing its solidarity with the families of the victims, the EU urged the Government to make sure that these children were not engaged in the worst forms of child labour. Noting that the Committee of Experts requested the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children engaged in domestic work, she encouraged the Government to cooperate with the ILO in the context of the ILO–IPEC project on this subject. In conclusion, the EU called on the Government to cooperate with the ILO and to respond to the requests of the Committees of Experts. The EU also expressed its continued readiness to cooperate with the Government to promote development and the full enjoyment of all human rights.

An observer representing Public Services International (PSI) said that the trafficking of children and the worst forms of child labour in Cameroon were the consequences of poverty and economic regression. The drastic slump of some 70 per cent in wage levels in the wake of the economic and financial crises had had a negative impact on school enrolment of children, who were therefore deprived of education. School enrolment rates were much lower than those in countries having comparable per capita income levels to Cameroon. There was a practice of not sending children to school, which was unprecedented for a country that had not suffered the effects of war and civil conflict. Boys tended to be given preferential treatment at the expense of girls. For boys, the primary school enrolment rate varied from 39 per cent to nearly 100 per cent according to the region, compared with the enrolment rate for girls, which was 26 per cent in the regions of the far north. Children belonging to minority groups, such as pygmies and nomads, and those in border areas, did not attend school. Furthermore, the allowances previously awarded to teachers working in regions other than their own had been abolished. This had caused a gradual withdrawal of teachers from the most remote regions to the big cities, resulting in turn in the closure of rural schools. To alleviate the situation, parents had begun to contribute heavily to the financing of education. In the far north, the region worst affected, 61 per cent of teachers were paid by parents. In the central region, which was the richest, the equivalent figure was 13 per cent. Inspectors, who had the task of ensuring the smooth running of schools, estimated that children now received only 25 weeks of teaching in the cities and 20 weeks in rural areas, compared with the official figure of 36 weeks. The situation was similar in secondary education, where for years the link between training programmes and job market openings had been non-existent, but that had not produced the necessary readjustment. The further a school was from a city, the worse its chances of receiving support in any form. It was therefore important to create jobs, especially decent work for adults in order to combat child labour at the same time. In conclusion, she called on the Government to take steps to abolish primary school fees; adopt a new national policy on schoolbooks; draw up an education programme that ensured access for girls; respect children’s rights; provide education that was geared to the needs of the job market; ensure decent pay for teachers; fight corruption; and respect the trade union rights of all workers.

The Government member of Algeria agreed that the concrete actions described by the Government of Cameroon should be supported, such as the implementation of a national committee to combat child labour and the adoption of a national plan of action and legislative and regulatory measures. The Government’s efforts to give greater visibility to the issue and effectively combat child labour should be supported as long as they strengthened the implementation of the national plan of action and assist the work of the national committee.

The Worker member of the United Kingdom emphasized that progress had been woefully slow despite the Government’s commitment, at the time of ratification, to put in place and implement, as a priority, programmes for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and for the rehabilitation of children removed from such labour. She noted that the sale and trafficking of children, as well as children involved in domestic work, was high, that sexual exploitation and the use of children for pornography was common, while a high number of HIV/AIDS orphans were without care or education. Although Act No. 2005/015 had been adopted to combat the trafficking and smuggling of children, its implementation was regrettably low as there was little to show in the way of improvement. While noting the extremely high rate of child trafficking in the country, she called for the capacity and effectiveness of the monitoring mechanisms to be reviewed, such as the vice squad. The investigating team consisting of just three officers, who relied on reporting by members of the public by telephone which, unsurprisingly was not an impressive mechanism. Considering the scale of the problem in the country, the figures for the prosecutions conducted in 2012 of only two cases involving a total of five children, out of the estimated 600,000 children trafficked in the country appeared to be very low. Referring to the adoption of the Child Protection Code, she said that although the Government had been promising its adoption since 2006, there had still been no indication of when the Code would be adopted and whether it would meet the requirements of the Convention. She deplored the fact that, despite the PANATEC programme, which offered to provide care for vulnerable children, including HIV/AIDS orphans, the number of orphans who had little or no care and who remained vulnerable to severe exploitation through the worst forms of child labour had increased to over half a million in 2013. She therefore called for urgent legislative and other measures to be taken to make a real difference in the situation of children in Cameroon.

The Worker member of Nigeria observed that child labour was a reality for many children in Cameroon. These children not only lived on the margins of society, but had also been deprived of normal development. He indicated that he came from the northern part of Nigeria which had borders with Cameroon and had therefore witnessed the growing incidence of the exploitation and trade of children for work, such as domestic servants, sex slavery and agricultural undertakings. With the appearance of Boko Haram, these practices had significantly erupted. The average working hours of many children were between 12 and 15 without rest periods or the provision of food. As the Committee of Experts rightly observed, this deplorable situation was even worse for girls, who constituted 60 per cent of the trafficked and bonded workforce. These girls were generally used for commercial sex tourism and other forms of sexual exploitation, including the production of pornography. Turning to the practice of the exploitation of boys attending Koranic schools, where they received education which included a vocational or apprenticeship component, he said that these boys were sent out onto the streets to beg for money which they had to hand over to the instructors of their Koranic school. He indicated that child labour, including practices of human trafficking and forced labour, was also an easy manner to provide children as child fighters for Boko Haram. In conclusion, the Government must accelerate its efforts to protect the rights of the child through a system of coherent and consistent sanctions. To this effect, robust and proactive protection and rehabilitation measures were also necessary.

The Government member of Switzerland indicated that child labour, and particularly child trafficking were unacceptable. The conclusions of the Committee of Experts related to combating the sale and trafficking of children should be supported. Sufficiently dissuasive sanctions should be implemented and appropriate measures taken to raise awareness and discourage parents who were putting their children to work. With regard to the legislation, the Government should adopt the Child Protection Code in order to demonstrate strong political commitment to making progress on the issue and to effectively combat child pornography. The Government should implement PANETEC to remove children from hazardous and domestic work.

The Government representative of Canada, recognizing the considerable challenges faced by the Government, supported the specific efforts made to respond to the concerns expressed by the Committee of Experts, in particular with regard to combating the sale and trafficking of children. Children were often displaced for the purpose of labour exploitation, especially in agricultural holdings, unregulated industrial activities, construction sites and for sexual exploitation for commercial purposes. In addition, although anchored in the traditional customs of the country, the practice of domestic work made children vulnerable by exposing them to various forms of abuse. The efforts made to bring to justice those who were found guilty of the sale and trafficking of children should be welcomed, and the Government should increase and intensify its efforts in that area by adopting the Child Protection Code as soon as possible, continuing its cooperation with the ILO and responding to the requests for information contained in the observations of the Committee of Experts.

The Government representative, while thanking all speakers for their recommendations and suggestions, questioned whether some of the data that had been cited actually related to Cameroon. On average, school attendance rates were over 80 per cent, and even 95 per cent in some regions. With regard to the problems in the extreme north of the country, it should not be forgotten that the region had been devastated by the war against Boko Haram and that saving lives was the main concern there. He also queried the information regarding child labour in mines, since Cameroon did not have a mining industry. The same was true of sex tourism, which was non-existent in the country. The low number of investigations was due to the small number of complaints made. The Government would take note of the recommendations made and would provide further information. It was however important not to paint such a bleak picture. The Government recognized that a problem existed and had taken steps to address it, particularly by establishing a legal framework. It was now important to stay on course and move forward faster when the economic and social situation so permitted. His Government greatly appreciated the support offered by partners, particularly the EU, and was committed to making every effort to combat the worst forms of child labour effectively so that they could be eradicated.

The Employer members thanked the Minister of Labour for coming to the Committee to examine the application of the Convention by his country. They had carefully listened to all the explanations provided. They clarified that, contrary to what the Government representative apparently understood, nobody believed that the Government had institutionalized child labour, including its worst forms. However, the discussions in the Committee expressed frustration at the slowness with which the problems were being addressed. Referring to the wording of the Convention, they emphasized that the Government’s commitment, at the time of ratification, was to take immediate action to abolish the worst forms of child labour. Hence, the slow speed with which the measures and actions were taken under the Convention was a problem. In conclusion, while they trusted that the Government had done its best to implement the Convention, they emphasized that the Government, with technical assistance from the ILO, needed to take more measures more rapidly.

The Worker members said that addressing the worst forms of child labour was difficult and thanked the Government representative for the information supplied. Without going into a discussion of figures, it should be recalled that the report of the Committee of Experts was based on a series of studies conducted jointly with the Government and that the gap between the figures quoted in the studies and the results achieved was too large, and hence frustrating. Child labour, and especially its worst forms, were a widespread practice in the country and the legislative and practical measures taken were totally insufficient. A considerable number of children at special risk were working in the informal economy outside the scope of the national legislation and the number of labour inspections was far from adequate, without mentioning the fact that national law did not penalize the offering of children for illicit activities. Moreover, the high school fees resulted in many children dropping out of school and ending up in the job market. The Government should therefore ensure that the national legislation covered children working in the informal economy; revise the list of hazardous types of work in consultation with the social partners; promptly adopt the Child Protection Code so as to prohibit the use and offering of children for illicit activities; reduce the very large number of working children under 14 years of age by allocating the necessary resources to the labour inspectorate; ensure that school costs did not represent an obstacle to education; and, lastly, adopt, in consultation with the social partners, a national plan of action to combat child labour and the trafficking of children. To that end, the Government should consider availing itself of ILO technical assistance in order to identify the best way to coordinate the necessary measures and obtain prompt results, while bringing national law and practice into conformity with the Convention.

Conclusions

The Committee noted the detailed oral information provided by the Government representative on the issues raised by the Committee of Experts and the discussion that ensued relating to the trafficking of children for labour and sexual exploitation, the absence of legislation prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children for pornography or for illicit activities, the large number of children involved in hazardous work and the increase in the number of children at risk of the worst forms of child labour including HIV/AIDS orphans and child domestic workers.

The Committee noted the information provided by the Government representative outlining policies and programmes put in place to combat the sale and trafficking of children, as well as hazardous work by children. This included the adoption of a comprehensive action programme, the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (PANETEC) that was being undertaken in collaboration with the ILO–IPEC to remove children from such situations. The Government had established, within the framework of the PANETEC, a national committee, which was responsible for the elimination of child labour and its worst forms by 2017. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement that measures would be taken within the framework of the PANETEC to address the situation of HIV/AIDS orphans and child domestic workers in order to protect them from the worst forms of child labour. The Committee observed that the Government had expressed its willingness to continue its efforts to eradicate such situations with the technical assistance and cooperation of the ILO.

Taking into account the discussion that took place, the Committee urged the Government to:

• urgently revise, in consultation with the social partners, the list of hazardous work established by Law No. 17 of 1969 in order to protect children under the age of 18 from engaging in dangerous activities, including working underwater and at dangerous heights;
• adopt and implement the Child Protection Code, which has been pending for almost a decade, in order to prohibit the use, procurement and offering of children for illicit activities;
• reduce the extremely high number of children below the age of 14 engaged in employment, including hazardous work, through: (a) a significant increase in the number of labour inspectors; (b) a significant increase in the resources allocated to them; and (c) the amendment of the Labour Code so as to limit the exceptions to the general prohibition against children working who are 14 years and below; and
• consistent with Presidential Decree No. 2001/041, and as required by Article 7(2)(c) of the Convention, ensure that children have access to free basic education and are therefore less vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee requested the ILO to offer, and the Government of Cameroon to accept, technical assistance in order to bring its laws and practices into line with Convention No. 182.

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Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the involvement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted that Presidential Decree No. 2001/041 establishes the right to free education but that in practice additional school fees and the cost of books and uniforms were prohibitive for many families and were cited as the main reason for school drop-outs. The Committee also noted the statement of the Government representative of Cameroon to the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015 that the average school enrolment rate was over 80 per cent, and even 95 per cent in some regions, stressing that the problems encountered in the Far North region were due to the war against Boko Haram. The Committee also noted the measures taken by the Government to integrate more children in the education system but also noted the inadequacy of these efforts and the significant number of children who remain out of school.

The Committee notes that the United Nations Economic and Social Council, in its concluding observations of 2019, again expressed concern at the numerous challenges that remain with regard to the effective enjoyment of the right to education in Cameroon, especially the decline in the primary school enrolment rate, the low school enrolment rate for girls, the lack of adequate school infrastructure, the cost of primary education, and acts of violence directed at teachers, students and parents in areas affected by the security crises in the Far North, North-West and South-West regions of the country (E/C.12/CMR/CO/4, paragraph 60).

The Committee notes that the chief objective of the current national plan for education in Cameroon – namely, the “Strategy paper for the education and training sector 2013-20” – is to achieve high-quality universal primary education, by improving access and equity, quality and relevance, and governance and management of the sector. In this regard, the Committee notes the information in the Government’s report on measures taken to enhance access to primary education free of charge, including granting the “minimum package” for schools, allocating operational credits to schools and implementing the sectoral contingency plan (emergency plan for areas affected by the conflicts). In addition, the Government reports on its policy for the development of the education system, including: (i) increasing school infrastructure and improving the “school card”; (ii) setting up food assistance programmes for schoolchildren from vulnerable families and communities, including in the Far North region; (iii) establishing programmes to encourage school enrolment for girls; (iv) improving living and working conditions for teachers; (v) promoting inclusive education; and (vi) reinforcing the technical and pedagogical capacities of teachers. In view of the fact that education plays a key role in preventing the involvement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue taking all necessary steps to improve the functioning of the education system and to ensure that basic education is actually free of charge, particularly in the most vulnerable regions, namely the Far North, North-West and South-West. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the results achieved, particularly with regard to school enrolment and completion rates, disaggregated by age and gender.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the involvement of children in street activities was a major social concern in large cities and certain agglomerations in the country. It also noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for preventing and combating the phenomenon of street children and that a number of actions had been undertaken in favour of street children. However, the Government had pointed to a number of problems, including the lack of financial and material resources to meet the needs of street children, as well as inadequate human resources in terms of both quantity and quality.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Commission for young offenders, abandoned children or children in moral danger – established through Decree No. 90/524 of 23 March 1990 – is mandated to issue opinions and make suggestions on any issue relating to policy on children’s matters and to prevent and address problems of social integration for young persons. The Government indicates that the strategy of the institutional stakeholders consists of combining: (i) prevention, protection and assistance for street children; (ii) mobilization of resources in favour of street children; (iii) education for street children; (iv) defence of the rights of street children and punishment for the perpetrators of offences against these children; (v) promotion of the socio-economic integration of urban young persons in difficulties; (vi) defence of minors’ right to work, including action against the worst forms of child labour; and (vii) registration of street children at birth. Community stakeholders report any cases involving street children and carry out community awareness-raising. The Government indicates that these measures enabled the identification of 599 street children in 2020, of whom 347 were reintegrated into society through returning to their families or being placed in specialist institutions and training centres. The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue its efforts to protect street children. It also requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures taken, particularly by the National Commission for young offenders, abandoned children or children in moral danger, and on the results achieved, especially in terms of the number of street children who have been identified, withdrawn from the streets and integrated into society.

2. Child domestic workers. The Committee previously noted that a survey on child domestic labour had revealed a predominance of girls (70 per cent) with an average age of 15 years, and also dangerous working conditions (for 85 per cent of children). The survey had also indicated that, although social services exist in Cameroon, the absence of an overall policy, aggravated by the lack of statistics, makes it impossible to assess precisely the impact of these services on child domestic workers. The shortcomings identified included the absence of public or private structures specifically dedicated to the protection of child domestic workers and the lack of a strategy for the elimination of child labour in domestic work.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the ratification process for the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), is continuing, and the revision of the list of hazardous types of work for children is under way and concerns all sectors of activity, including domestic work. However, the Committee notes that the Government has been referring to the revision of the list of hazardous types of work for years. The Committee therefore once again notes with regret that the Government does not provide any new information on the implementation of measures to protect children under 18 years of age from the worst forms of child labour in the domestic work sector. In view of the fact that child domestic workers are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee once again urges the Government to take effective time-bound measures to protect these children from hazardous work and to ensure their access to education. It requests the Government to provide information on specific measures taken in this regard, giving particular attention to the situation of girls.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the trafficking of children in Cameroon has an international dimension involving young persons from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. The Committee noted with regret that the Government made no mention of any progress on regional cooperation relating to the sale and trafficking of children, or on the impact of such cooperation.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, because of the worsening security situation in the North-West and South-West regions and also because of the closure of some borders of countries in the subregion (Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo) owing to the COVID-19 health crisis, mobilization in the regions has been difficult for conducting joint collaborative actions to combat the cross-border trafficking of children. While noting the difficult situation prevailing in the country, the Committee recalls that, under Article 8 of the Convention, international cooperation and mutual assistance are particularly important in order to prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including the sale and trafficking of children. In view of the scale of cross-border trafficking in the country, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to take steps to ensure that bilateral agreements on the trafficking of persons are signed with neighbouring countries and to provide information on the funds allocated to such agreements. It requests the Government to supply information in this respect, and also on the impact of any regional cooperation on the number of child victims of sale and trafficking who have been intercepted and integrated into society. This information should, as far as possible, be disaggregated by the age and gender of the victims, and also by the purpose of the trafficking (for example, labour exploitation or sexual exploitation).

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon planned to reduce poverty and, as a result, to reduce significantly the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP) 2010–20. It also noted that, in October 2014, Cameroon and the ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), whose key components are based on the GESP. The Committee also noted that, through the National Action Plan for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (PANETEC), it was planned to incorporate the issue of child labour in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DWCP policies and programmes in order to make them more relevant.

The Committee once again notes with regret that the Government does not provide any information on the measures implemented under all these programmes or on their impact on poverty reduction and the elimination of child labour. Noting once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the implementation of the DWCP and GESP policies and programmes, reinforced by the PANETEC, for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Cameroon.

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The Committee takes note of the observations of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) of 16 September 2021. The Committee requests the Government to send its comments in reply to the observations made by the UGTC.

Articles 3(a) and 7(1) of the Convention. Sale and trafficking of children and penalties. In its previous comments, the Committee noted section 342-1 of the new Penal Code, which renders any person who engages in the trafficking of persons liable to imprisonment. The Committee also noted, according to the estimates of the study produced jointly by the Government and the “Understanding child labour” programme, that between 600,000 and 3 million children were victims of trafficking in Cameroon but that the number of investigations into the trafficking of children was very low, and so this could hardly be considered an adequate response given the scale of the problem. In the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015, the Government representative of Cameroon pointed out that the low number of investigations was due to the small number of complaints made. The Committee also noted the Government’s indications that measures had been taken to raise the awareness of stakeholders involved in combating child labour, but observed that this did not respond to its concerns regarding the low number of investigations and prosecutions in this field.

The Committee notes that the United Nations Human Rights Committee, in its concluding observations of 2017, again noted with concern the persistence of trafficking for the purposes of forced prostitution of women or child domestic labour. The Committee was also concerned at reports that most cases of trafficking were detected by civil society organizations (CCPR/C/CMR/CO/5, paragraph 31).

The Committee notes the Government’s indications in its report that a freephone number and helpline has been set up for the purpose of reporting cases of human trafficking. The Government also indicates that the law enforcement agencies intercepted 40 Baka (adults and children) who were victims of trafficking and that the perpetrator of this act was handed over to the competent authorities. Moreover, the competent operational technical units of the Ministry of Social Affairs took care of 381 victims of trafficking, including 304 children, in the first six months of 2020.

The Government indicates that any allegation relating to the sale and trafficking of children triggers an investigation and, where appropriate, leads to the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators. According to the Government, 13 children (7 boys and 6 girls) were victims of trafficking in 2020 and judicial proceedings have been opened against the perpetrators. Moreover, the Government indicates that the Regional Court of Diamaré sentenced one person to three years’ imprisonment for having instigated the transfer of two children (nine and 11 years old) from Kousseri to the border with Chad to meet an unknown person, in violation of the provisions of section 342-1(2)(a) of the Penal Code.

While noting the efforts made to intercept child victims of trafficking in Cameroon, the Committee notes with concern that the number of prosecutions and convictions remains low. Recalling that the established penalties are only effective if they are actually applied, the Committee requests the Government to intensify its efforts, including by reinforcing the capacities of law enforcement bodies, to ensure that all persons who engage in the trafficking of children are investigated and prosecuted, and that penalties which constitute an effective deterrent are imposed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations conducted by the competent services in relation to the trafficking of children under 18 years of age and on the number of prosecutions initiated. It also requests the Government to indicate the sentences imposed on persons guilty of the trafficking of children, the facts giving rise to the convictions, and the provisions under which the penalties have been imposed.

Article 3(b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee observed that the provisions of the Penal Code adopted through Act No. 2016/007 – including sections 344 and 346 prohibiting the corruption of young people and indecent behaviour in the presence of a minor – do not adequately prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances, or for illicit activities. The Committee also noted that the Conference Committee had urged the Government to adopt and implement the Child Protection Code, which had been pending for almost ten years, in order to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of children for the above-mentioned purposes.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that sections 80–83 of Act No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 concerning cybersecurity and cybercrime in Cameroon makes any person liable to punishment who commits the above-mentioned acts in relation to children. The Committee observes that under section 80 of the above-mentioned Act any person who disseminates, fixes, records or transmits for payment or free of charge images depicting paedophilic acts on a minor through electronic media or an information system shall be liable to punishment. Furthermore, any person who offers, makes available or disseminates, imports or exports, by any electronic means whatsoever, an image or representation of a paedophilic nature, or any person who possesses paedophilic images or representations, shall be liable to punishment. Under section 81, any person who offers, produces or makes available child pornography with a view to its dissemination, or who procures for self or others, or disseminates or transmits, child pornography through an information system, or adults who make sexual proposals to young persons under 15 years of age, shall be liable to punishment. Moreover, indecent acts committed through electronic media (section 82) also constitute an offence.

The Committee observes that Act No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 addresses only the production or electronic dissemination of pornographic material involving children, which appears to include the use, but not the procuring or offering, of children for the production of pornographic material. Moreover, the Committee notes with regret that the Government does not supply any information on the prohibition on the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the relevant provisions of Act No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 concerning the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for the production of pornographic material or for pornographic performances. It also requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for illicit activities is prohibited by the legislation of Cameroon as quickly as possible, and to provide information on measures taken in this regard.

Article 4(3). Periodic review and revision of the list of hazardous types of work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 concerning child labour (Order No. 17) does not prohibit work under water or work at dangerous heights, as in the case of children employed in fishing or banana harvesting. The Committee noted that the Conference Committee had urged the Government to urgently revise, in consultation with the social partners, the list of hazardous types of work established by Order No. 17 in order to prevent the engagement of children under 18 years of age in hazardous activities, including underwater work and work at dangerous heights. In this regard, the Government indicated that the revision of the list of hazardous types of work was due to take place in 2018 and would be undertaken in conjunction with the social partners.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the process for the revision of the list of hazardous types of work is under way. Observing that the Government has been referring to this for many years, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure, as quickly as possible, the adoption of the revised and adapted list of hazardous types of work prohibited for children under 18 years of age, in consultation with the social partners. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted with concern that, according to estimates of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the number of children who were HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon had risen from 310,000 in 2014 to 340,000 in 2016. The Committee asked the Government to take immediate and effective measures to protect these children from the worst forms of labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that Cameroon has a national strategy for the care of orphans and vulnerable children, implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs, which includes cases of HIV/AIDS orphans in its operations. To this end, welcome centres set up throughout the national territory take care of the children, who receive training in various fields with a view to their social integration. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee observes that the number of HIV/AIDS orphans continues to rise, with UNAIDS estimating putting this figure at 390,000 in 2020. Recalling that children who are HIV/AIDS orphans are at particular risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to intensify its efforts to protect them from these worst forms of labour, particularly as part of the national strategy for the care of orphans and vulnerable children. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this respect and the results achieved, and also on the number of HIV/AIDS orphans who have been received by the welcome structures set up for their benefit.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

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Article 7(2) of the Convention. 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 Presidential Decree No. 2001/041 establishes the right to free education but that in practice additional school fees and the cost of books and uniforms were prohibitive for many families and are cited as the main reason for school drop-outs. The Committee also noted that, in the far north, 61 per cent of teachers are paid by parents, compared with 13 per cent in the richest regions. The Committee further noted the statement of the Government representative of Cameroon to the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015 that the average school enrolment rate was over 80 per cent, and even 95 per cent in some regions, stressing that the problems encountered in the far north were due to the war against Boko Haram.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that more and more children are integrated in the education system in Cameroon, owing to the fact that each year it informs parents and teachers that public primary school education is free of charge, and that any parties found guilty of infringing Decree No. 2001/041 are penalized. The Committee also observes that, according to the report on the draft finance act of 2017 (available on the website of the Ministry for Basic Education), a number of programmes, actions and projects have been planned to strengthen the education system in Cameroon in 2017, including the construction of classrooms, purchase of equipment, improvement of working conditions for staff, and support for girls’ schooling. These objectives have been set for all regions of Cameroon, including the far north. However, the Committee notes that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its concluding observations of 6 July 2017, while noting the measures taken by the Government, expresses regret at the inadequacy of these efforts and at the significant number of children who remain out of school (CRC/C/CMR/CO/3-5, paragraph 38). Considering that education is one of the most effective means of preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue taking all necessary steps to improve the functioning of the education system and, in particular, to ensure free basic education. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken and the results achieved, particularly with regard to school attendance and completion rates, disaggregated by age and gender.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (PANETEC), the involvement of children in street activities is a major social concern in large cities and certain agglomerations in the country.

The Committee notes with regret the lack of information on this subject in the Government’s report. However, it notes that the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for preventing and combating the phenomenon of street children, particularly through its project in that field, which aims to gather information on street children and provide them with medical, educational and psycho-social care. It also notes that the Government, in its combined third to fifth periodic reports of 5 September 2016 submitted to the CRC, indicates that a number of actions have been undertaken for street children, including: the implementation of a project to combat the phenomenon of street children; the setting up of two regional multi-sector mobile units for combating the phenomenon of street children; and the organization of actions to enable 855 street children to return home, of whom 585 were reintegrated in the education system (CRC/C/CMR/3-5, paragraph 190). However, the Government points to a number of problems, including the lack of financial and material resources to respond to the needs of street children, as well as inadequate human resources in terms of both quantity and quality. The Committee therefore requests the Government to step up its efforts to protect street children. It requests the Government once again to send detailed information on the measures taken and the results achieved through the project to address the phenomenon of street children and also through the PANETEC, particularly in terms of the number of street children who have been identified, removed from the streets and socially integrated.

2. Child domestic workers. The Committee previously noted that a survey on child domestic work had revealed a predominance of girls (70 per cent), with an average age of 15 years, and also dangerous conditions of work (for 85 per cent of the children). The survey also indicated that, although social services exist in Cameroon, the absence of an overall policy, aggravated by the lack of statistics, makes it impossible to assess precisely the impact of these services on child domestic workers. The shortcomings identified include the absence of public or private structures specifically dedicated to the protection of child domestic workers and the lack of a strategy for the elimination of child labour in domestic work. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that the issue of child domestic workers was incorporated into the PANETEC, thereby ensuring that the labour inspection services can freely enter households at any time to provide advice, monitor conditions or impose penalties.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, apart from the abovementioned measures, it has committed to ratifying the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). However, the Committee notes with regret that the Government does not provide any information on the implementation of measures to protect children under 18 years of age from the worst forms of labour in the domestic sector. Considering that child domestic workers are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect these children from hazardous work and ensure that they have access to education, and to send information on specific measures taken in this respect, taking account of the particular situation of girls.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the trafficking of children in Cameroon has an international dimension involving young persons from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that it is participating in a support project for combating the trafficking of persons in the Gulf of Guinea subregion. The Government also indicated that a meeting had been held between the Governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to discuss security issues affecting the two countries.

However, the Committee notes with regret that the Government makes no mention of any progress on regional cooperation relating to the sale and trafficking of children, or on the impact of such cooperation. In view of the extent of cross-border trafficking in the country, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect, and also on the impact of regional cooperation on the number of sale and trafficking victims under 18 years of age who have been intercepted and socially integrated. To the extent possible, this information should be disaggregated by age and gender of the victims, as well as by the purpose of the trafficking (for example, labour or sexual exploitation).

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon planned to reduce poverty and, as a result, to reduce significantly the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP) 2010–20. The Committee also noted that, in October 2014, Cameroon and the ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), whose key components are based on the GESP. The Committee also noted that, through the PANETEC, it was planned to incorporate the issue of child labour in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DWCP policies and programmes in order to make them more relevant.

The Committee once again notes with regret that the Government does not provide any information on the measures implemented as part of all these programmes. Noting once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the implementation of the DWCP and GESP policies and programmes, reinforced by the PANETEC, for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Cameroon.

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Articles 3(a), 5 and 7(1) of the Convention. Sale and trafficking of children. Monitoring mechanisms and penalties. The Committee previously noted that, according to the estimates of the 2012 study produced jointly by the Government and the “Understanding Children’s Work” programme, between 600,000 and 3 million children were victims of trafficking in Cameroon. It noted that Act No. 2005/015 concerning the trafficking of children and child labour had been repealed and replaced by Act No. 2011/024, which is broader in scope. The Committee also noted the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to the effect that the Government had reportedly conducted ten investigations into the trafficking of children in 2013, which could hardly be considered an adequate response given the scale of the problem. In the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015, the Government representative of Cameroon to the Conference Committee pointed out that the low number of investigations was due to the small number of complaints made.

The Committee notes that the provisions of Act No. 2011/024 have been incorporated into the new Penal Code, which was adopted through Act No. 2016/007 (section 342-1). It also notes the Government’s indications in its report that awareness raising in relation to the scourge of the trafficking of children has been conducted for all parties involved in combating child labour, including the heads of decentralized departments of sectoral administrations, and they have been recommended to systematically report any proven case of commercial trafficking and exploitation of children. However, the Committee observes that the Government does not respond to the Committee’s concerns regarding the low number of investigations and prosecutions relating to the trafficking of children in Cameroon.

The Committee reminds the Government once again that under Article 5 of the Convention, member States must establish or designate appropriate mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the provisions giving effect to the Convention, irrespective of any complaints filed by victims. Moreover, referring to the General Survey of 2012 on the fundamental Conventions, the Committee emphasizes that any penalties laid down will only be effective if they are applied in practice, which requires procedures for bringing violations to the attention of the judicial and administrative authorities, and that these authorities be strongly encouraged to apply such penalties (paragraph 639). The Committee therefore urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that monitoring mechanisms are adequate for detecting cases involving the sale and trafficking of children. It also requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the thorough investigation and robust prosecution of persons who engage in the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age, particularly by reinforcing the capacities of the authorities responsible for the enforcement of section 342-1 of the new Penal Code and Act No. 2011/024, and to ensure that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. Lastly, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in this respect and on the results achieved, disaggregated, where possible, by age and gender of the victims.

Article 3(b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the Bill on the Child Protection Code and the Bill on the Family Code had been incorporated into the Bill issuing the revised Civil Code (which is being finalized), and that this was to cover issues relating to the use and procuring of children for the production of pornography, for pornographic performances, as well as for illicit activities, particularly the production of drugs. The Committee also noted that the Conference Committee had urged the Government to adopt and implement the Child Protection Code, which had been pending for almost ten years, in order to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of children for the abovementioned purposes.

The Committee notes with concern the Government’s indication that the Civil Code is still being revised. It also notes the Government’s indication that the Penal Code establishes penalties for all illicit activities. In this regard, the Committee observes that Cameroon has adopted a new Penal Code through Act No. 2016/007, sections 344 and 346 of which prohibit the corruption of young people and indecent behaviour in the presence of a minor. However, the Committee observes that neither these provisions nor the provisions penalizing illicit activities adequately prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography, for pornographic performances, or for illicit activities. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the outcome of the request for technical assistance will enable the necessary competencies to be acquired to address this issue. Noting that it has been raising this issue for over ten years, the Committee urges the Government once again to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure that the national legislation prohibits the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for the production of pornography, for pornographic performances or for illicit activities, through the adoption either of the Child Protection Code or of any other legislative text that incorporates the relevant provisions. Moreover, sufficiently dissuasive penalties for the offences in question must also be adopted as a matter of urgency.

Article 4(3). Periodic review and revision of the list of hazardous types of work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the observations of the ITUC to the effect that some 164,000 children between 14 and 17 years of age were involved in hazardous work in Cameroon. The Committee noted that Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 concerning child labour (Order No. 17) – adopted more than 48 years ago – does not prohibit work under water or work at dangerous heights, as in the case of children employed in fishing or banana harvesting. In this regard, the Committee noted that the Conference Committee had urged the Government to urgently revise, in consultation with the social partners, the list of hazardous types of work established by Order No. 17 in order to prevent the engagement of children under 18 years of age in hazardous activities, including underwater work and work at dangerous heights.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the revision of the list of hazardous types of work is due to take place in 2018 and will be undertaken in conjunction with the social partners. The Government indicates that the ILO Office in Yaoundé has recruited a consultant who has initiated the process of revision of this list. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption as soon as possible of the revised list of hazardous types of work prohibited for children under 18 years of age, in consultation with the social partners. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this respect.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to estimates of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), there were approximately 310,000 children who were HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon in 2014. The Committee noted the Government’s indications that this problem was the subject of in-depth discussion within the National Committee for Combating Child Labour, the body established in 2014 for the implementation of the National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (PANETEC) 2014–16. The Government indicated that actions are planned in the context of the PANETEC relating to the ongoing establishment of structures to care for HIV/AIDS orphans, including initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs. However, the Committee noted that even though the PANETEC had been technically approved, it had not yet been officially adopted.

The Committee notes with deep concern that not only has the PANETEC not yet been adopted, but that, according to UNAIDS estimates for 2016, the number of HIV/AIDS orphans has reached 340,000. Recalling that HIV/AIDS orphans are at particular risk of becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to protect them from these worst forms of labour. It requests the Government once again to send information on the measures taken in this respect and the results achieved, and also on the number of HIV/AIDS orphans who have been admitted to care structures set up for their benefit.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

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The Committee takes notes of the Government’s report as well as of the detailed discussion which took place within the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015 concerning the application of Convention No. 182 by Cameroon. It also notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) received on 1 September 2015 and of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) received on 25 September 2015, as well as of the Government’s reply.

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 notes the observations of the ITUC to the effect that Presidential Decree No. 2001/041 establishes the right to free education. The ITUC indicates that in practice, however, additional school fees and the cost of books and uniforms are prohibitive for many families and are cited as the main reason for school drop-outs. It also adds that access to education is hampered by the remoteness of schools and the lack of drinking water in rural schools. The Committee further notes the statement of the Government representative of Cameroon to the Conference Committee that the average school attendance rate is over 80 per cent, and even 95 per cent in some regions, and the problems encountered in the far north are due to the war against Boko Haram. The Committee also notes the statement made by an observer representing Public Services International (PSI) to the Conference Committee, to the effect that boys tend to be given preferential treatment at the expense of girls and that, in the far north, 61 per cent of teachers are paid by parents, compared with 13 per cent in the richest region. Lastly, the Committee notes that the Conference Committee urged the Government to ensure that children have access to free basic education, thereby making them less vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take all the necessary measures to improve the functioning of the education system, and, in particular, to ensure free basic education, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 2001/041. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results achieved.

Clause (b). Removing children from the worst forms of child labour and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that arrangements had been put in place to facilitate the administrative procedure for taking care of victims in transit and accommodation centres.

The Committee notes the lack of information on this matter in the Government’s report. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide information on the number of children removed from trafficking and placed in transit and accommodation centres and host families.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (PANETEC), the involvement of children in street activities is a major social concern in large cities and certain agglomerations in the country.

The Committee notes the observations of the ITUC that children are victims of abuse on the city streets, where they are employed in small businesses and in other small-scale production activities. The ITUC points out that these children are particularly vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the administration organizes periodic investigations, and supervisory missions in conjunction with action by non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and decentralized local authorities. However, the Committee notes that there is no information on the specific situation of street children in the Government’s report. The Committee urges the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results achieved in the context of addressing the phenomenon of street children, particularly in the framework of the PANETEC. It encourages the Government to continue its efforts for the identification, removal and reintegration of street children.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that dialogue was still continuing between the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon with a view to concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement. The Committee notes in this respect that, according to a 2012 study produced jointly by the Government and the “Understanding Children’s Work” programme (UCW 2012 study), trafficking of children in Cameroon has an international dimension involving young persons from Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is participating in a support project for combating the trafficking of persons in the Gulf of Guinea subregion. The Government also indicates that a meeting was held between the Governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to discuss security issues affecting the two countries. However, the Committee notes with regret that the Government has nothing to say about the process of adoption of the bilateral agreement with Nigeria aimed at combating the trafficking of children. Noting that the Government has been referring to the bilateral cooperation agreement with Nigeria since 2010 and given the extent of cross-border trafficking in the country, the Committee urges the Government once again to take the necessary measures to finalize the aforementioned agreement. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this respect, and also with regard to the support project in the Gulf of Guinea subregion.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon planned to reduce poverty and, accordingly, to reduce significantly the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP). The Committee also noted that, through the PANETEC, it is planned to integrate the issue of child labour into the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies and programmes set out in the GESP with a view to improving their relevance.

The Committee notes the Government’s information to the effect that in October 2014 Cameroon and the ILO signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), whose key components are based on the GESP. However, the Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on implementation measures. Noting once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the implementation of the GESP policies and programmes, reinforced by the PANETEC, for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

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Follow-up to the conclusions of the Committee on the Application of Standards (International Labour Conference, 104th Session, June 2015)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report as well as the detailed discussion which took place within the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2015 concerning the application of Convention No. 182 by Cameroon. It also takes note of the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) received on 1 September 2015, of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) received on 25 September 2015, of the Cameroon United Workers Confederation (CTUC) received on 29 September 2015, as well as of the Government’s reply.

Articles 3(a), 5 and 7(1) of the Convention. Sale and trafficking of children, monitoring mechanisms and sanctions. The Committee previously noted the measures taken by the Government such as the monitoring carried out by the vice squad in liaison with Interpol, the setting up of a telephone helpline to receive complaints from the public, and the appointment of three officers to carry out investigations at any time. However, the Committee noted that, according to the estimates of the 2012 study produced jointly by the Government and the “Understanding Children’s Work” programme (UCW 2012 study), between 600,000 and 3 million children are victims of trafficking in Cameroon.

The Committee notes the observations of the ITUC regarding the low level of application of Act No. 2005/015 concerning the trafficking of children, and the fact that no effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. The ITUC indicates that it was reported in 2013 that the Government had conducted ten investigations into the trafficking of children, which can hardly be seen as an adequate response given the scale of the problem. The Committee also notes the statement by the Government representative of Cameroon to the Conference Committee that Act No. 2005/015 has been repealed and replaced by Act No. 2011/024, which is broader in scope. The Government representative added that the low number of investigations was due to the small number of complaints made. The Committee reminds the Government that, under the terms of Article 5 of the Convention, member States must establish or designate appropriate mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the provisions giving effect to the Convention, irrespective of any complaints filed by victims. The Committee is bound to reiterate its deep concern at the large number of child victims of trafficking in Cameroon. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that monitoring mechanisms are adequate for detecting cases involving the sale and trafficking of children. It also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that thorough investigations and robust prosecutions are carried out of persons engaged in the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age, in particular by reinforcing the capacities of the authorities responsible for the enforcement of Act No. 2011/024, and to ensure that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in this respect and on the results achieved.

Article 3(b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and for illicit activities. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Bill enacting the Child Protection Code and the Bill enacting the Family Code have been incorporated into the Bill enacting the revised Civil Code (which is being finalized) and that this takes account of issues related to the use and procuring of children for the production of pornography or pornographic performances and for illicit activities. The Committee also notes that the Conference Committee urged the Government to adopt and implement the Child Protection Code, which has been pending for almost a decade, in order to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities. Noting that the Government has been referring to the adoption of the Child Protection Code since 2006, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures for the adoption of the Bill enacting the Child Protection Code incorporated in the Bill enacting the Civil Code in the very near future and to ensure that it contains provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or pornographic performances and for illicit activities, particularly the production and trafficking of drugs. Penalties corresponding to the aforementioned offences must also be established.

Article 4(3). Periodic review and revision of the list of hazardous types of work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 concerning child labour (Order No. 17) had been adopted over 30 years earlier. It reminded the Government that, under the terms of Article 4(3) of the Convention, the list of hazardous types of work must be periodically examined and revised as necessary, in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.

The Committee notes the observations of the ITUC to the effect that some 164,000 children between 14 and 17 years of age are involved in hazardous work. The ITUC observes that Order No. 17 does not prohibit work underwater or work at dangerous heights, as in the case of children employed in fishing or banana harvesting. The Committee further notes the indication of the CTUC emphasizing that the Government refers to the same statement on the revision of the Labour Code, which has been under way for over 20 years, and stating that this situation is simply due to a lack of will on the part of the Government. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the revision of the Labour Code is ongoing. Lastly, the Committee notes that the Conference Committee urged the Government to urgently revise, in consultation with the social partners, the list of hazardous types of work established by Order No. 17 in order to prevent the engagement of children under 18 years of age in dangerous activities, including work underwater or work at dangerous heights. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption as soon as possible of the legislative texts implementing the new Labour Code containing a revised list of hazardous types of work prohibited for children under 18 years of age, in consultation with the social partners.

Article 6. Programmes of action and application of the Convention in practice. National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (PANETEC). The Committee previously noted that, according to the UCW 2012 study, over 1,500,000 children between 5 and 14 years of age, or 28 per cent of this age group, are working in Cameroon, often under dangerous conditions. Furthermore, 164,000 children between 14 and 17 years of age are forced to engage in hazardous work. The Committee noted the development of the PANETEC 2014–16.

The Committee notes the observations of the CTUC that the Government merely refers to the adoption of national plans of action and other national committees for combating child labour without producing any kind of report related to these plans and committees. The Committee notes that there is no information on the implementation of the PANETEC in the Government’s report. However, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that a national quadripartite committee for combating child labour has been established by Order No. 082/PM of 27 August 2014 in order to implement the PANETEC. The Government indicates that a capacity-building workshop for the members of the PANETEC steering committee took place in April 2015, at which the members were given the necessary technical knowledge and tools to ensure effective implementation of the PANETEC. The Government also reports that it has made provision for the necessary material and financial resources, particularly through the state budget, to begin the awareness-raising process. However, the Committee observes that the PANETEC has received technical approval but has not yet been officially adopted. The Committee urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure that the PANETEC is officially adopted and implemented in the very near future and to provide information on the results achieved and its impact on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS orphans. The Committee previously noted the large number of children who are HIV/AIDS orphans. It also noted the Government’s indication that it had created care structures for children affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS.

The Committee notes the observations of the ITUC that HIV/AIDS orphans are at particular risk of becoming involved in the worst forms of child labour. The ITUC adds that these children often lack adequate family support and are obliged to engage in economic activity to meet their needs. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that this issue is the subject of in-depth discussion within the National Committee for Combating Child Labour. The Government also indicates that care structures exist, such as the Chantal Biya reception centre, but are insufficient. It reports that the PANETEC provides for ongoing action, particularly via the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs, to establish care structures for HIV/AIDS orphans. Lastly, the Committee emphasizes that, according to UNAIDS estimates for 2014, some 310,000 children are HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon. Expressing once again its concern at the large number of children who are HIV/AIDS orphans, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to prevent the engagement of these children in the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and results achieved in the framework of the PANETEC, and on the number of HIV/AIDS orphans catered for by the care structures established for them.

2. Child domestic workers. The Committee previously noted that a survey on child domestic work shows that there is a clear predominance of girls (70 per cent), with an average age of 15 years, and also dangerous conditions of work (for 85 per cent of the children). The survey also indicated that, although social services exist in Cameroon, the absence of an overall policy, aggravated by the lack of statistics, makes it difficult to assess precisely the impact of these services on child domestic workers. The shortcomings identified include the absence of public or private structures specifically dedicated to the protection of child domestic workers and the lack of a strategy for the elimination of child labour in domestic work.

The Committee notes the observations of the ITUC that child domestic workers are subjected to particularly arduous conditions and it denounces the lack of exhaustive and effective policies aimed at securing the abolition of the use of child labour in domestic work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the issue of child domestic workers has been incorporated into the PANETEC. The Government also indicates that the labour inspection services could therefore, at any time, freely enter households to provide advice, monitor conditions or impose penalties. Considering that child domestic workers are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children engaged in domestic work from the worst forms of child labour, and to provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for their removal and for their rehabilitation and social integration, particularly as part of the implementation of the PANETEC. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved and invites it to continue availing itself of ILO technical assistance in order to bring its law and practice into conformity with the Convention.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.

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Article 4(3) of the Convention. Periodic review and revision of the list of hazardous types of work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 on child labour (Order No. 17) had been adopted over 30 years ago. It reminded the Government that, under the terms of Article 4(3) of the Convention, the list of hazardous types of work shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary, in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it will take all the necessary measures to ensure that the implementing texts of the new Labour Code take into account the revision of the list of hazardous types of work prohibited for children. The Government indicates that the preliminary draft of the Bill issuing the Labour Code has been validated by the National Labour Advisory Commission, a tripartite body. The Committee urges the Government to take measures to revise Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 in the framework of the implementation of the new Labour Code, once it has been adopted. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this respect.

Article 6. Programmes of action and application of the Convention in practice. Trafficking of children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that information on the adoption and implementation of the National Plan to Combat the Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children of 2009 will be provided subsequently. The Committee urges the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in the framework on the National Plan to Combat the Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children adopted in 2009, and on the impact of these measures in terms of protecting children against trafficking.

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 removing them from these forms of child labour. Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, although ad hoc transit and shelter centres are set up in Cameroon when a convoy of victims of trafficking is intercepted, the referral of victims of trafficking to such centres involves cumbersome administrative procedures. In this regard, the Committee notes that a new system for the protection of victims of trafficking through foster families was to have begun in 2010.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that measures have been taken to facilitate the administrative procedure of the referral of victims to transit and shelter centres. The Government adds that child instruction centres and high level training centres have been established throughout the country to ensure access to free basic education and vocational training for child victims of sale and trafficking. The Committee again requests the Government to provide information on the number of children actually removed from trafficking and placed in transit and shelter facilities and foster families.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. Street children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, according to the PANETEC document, the involvement of children in street activities is a major social concern in large cities and certain agglomerations in the country. Many children are used (including by their own parents) on a daily basis in small businesses and various small-scale production activities. They also work as porters (particularly boys) and are sometimes involved in begging (boys and girls) and prostitution (essentially girls). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that 182 street children have been identified in five regions of the county, of whom 57 have been removed from the streets and provided with social rehabilitation. Considering that street children are particularly at risk of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts for the identification, removal and reintegration of street children. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken and the results achieved in the framework of the project to combat the phenomenon of street children, particularly in the framework of the PANETEC.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that dialogue is still continuing between the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon with a view to concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement. The Committee notes in this respect that, according to a study prepared jointly in 2012 by the Government and the Understanding Children’s Work programme (UCW, 2012), trafficking of children in Cameroon has international aspects involving young persons from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. In light of the extent of trans-border trafficking in the country, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to finalize the bilateral cooperation agreement with Nigeria. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this regard.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the indication that Cameroon planned to reduce poverty and, accordingly, to reduce significantly the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP).

The Committee notes that, through the PANETEC, it is planned to integrate the issue of child labour into the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies and programmes set out in the GESP with a view to improving their relevance. Noting once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the specific measures planned in the context of the implementation of GESP policies and programmes, reinforced by the PANETEC, for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

[The Government is asked to supply particulars to the Conference at its 104th Session and to reply in detail to the present comments in 2015.]

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Articles 3(a), 5 and 7(1) of the Convention. Sale and trafficking of children, monitoring mechanisms and sanctions. The Committee previously noted that, in addition to the monitoring carried out by the vice squad established in the Interpol National Central Bureau in Yaoundé, a telephone number has been made available to encourage the public to make anonymous denunciations. In addition, three contact officers are on permanent standby to carry out investigations at any time. The Committee however noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed regret at the low level of implementation of Act No. 2005/015 of 20 December 2005 to combat the trafficking and smuggling of children, and at the absence of data and remedial action.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the telephone number made available to the public is indeed operational and that those responsible and with shared responsibility for trafficking have been prosecuted and penal sanctions imposed on those convicted. In this respect, the Committee notes that, according to the report of the Ministry of Justice on the human rights situation in Cameroon in 2012, two cases have been decided by the courts concerning cases of trafficking in persons, involving a total of five children.

While noting this information, the Committee notes with deep concern that, according to the study prepared jointly in 2012 by the Government and the “Understanding Children’s Work” programme (UCW, 2012), the incidence of trafficking of children appears to be very high in Cameroon, with the estimates contained in the study varying from 600,000 to 3 million child victims. Children are often relocated for the exploitation of their labour, particularly in domestic work, agricultural undertakings, unregulated industrial activities, construction sites and commercial sexual exploitation. One of the characteristics of trafficking of children is that it is based on well entrenched traditional customs in Cameroon cultures, such as the informal fostering (confiage) of children and labour migration traditions. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that thorough investigations and robust prosecutions are carried out of persons engaged in the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age, in particular by reinforcing the capacities of the authorities responsible for the enforcement of Act No. 2005/05, and to ensure that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in this respect and on the results achieved.

Article 3(b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee observed that the national legislation does not contain provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the prohibitions referred to above will be taken into account in the draft Child Protection Code.

The Committee again notes with regret the Government’s indication that the Child Protection Code is still in the process of being adopted. Noting that the Government has been referring to the adoption of the Child Protection Code since 2006, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures for the adoption of the Code in the very near future and to ensure that it contains provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances, and for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. Accordingly, penalties for these offences must also be established.

Article 6. Programmes of action and application of the Convention in practice. National Plan of Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (PANETEC). The Committee notes that, according to a study prepared jointly in 2012 by the Government and the UCW, 2012, over 1,500,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14, or 28 per cent of this age group, are engaged in work in Cameroon, often under hazardous conditions. Furthermore, 164,000 children between the ages of 14 and 17 are engaged in hazardous types of work.

The Committee notes that with ILO collaboration, within the framework of the ILO–IPEC Global Action Plan to Eliminate Child Labour (GAP11) project, the PANETEC 2014–16 has been adopted. The general objective of the PANETEC is to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2016, while reinforcing the institutional framework and mechanisms for the abolition in the long term of all forms of child labour. For this purpose, the PANETEC is based on six strategic priorities, including the harmonization of the national legislation with international labour standards and the strengthening of law enforcement; the promotion of education; and the improvement of the social protection system. However, as it is seriously concerned at the large number of children engaged in hazardous types of work and other worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the effective implementation of the PANETEC in the very near future and to provide information on its impact on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted with concern that the number of children who are HIV/AIDS orphans appeared to have increased from 300,000 in 2007 to 327,600 in 2009. The Committee also noted the scarcity of care structures and other forms of alternative care for children without families.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has created care structures for children affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS. It also notes that, in the framework of the PANETEC, it is envisaged to take measures for the adoption of the Family Protection Code, which could provide solutions to improve the care provided for certain categories of vulnerable children, including orphans, and in particular HIV/AIDS orphans. However, the Committee notes that, according to UNAIDS estimates for 2013, there are approximately 510,000 children who are HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon. Expressing once again its deep concern at the increase in the number of children who are HIV/AIDS orphans, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure that these children are not engaged in the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results achieved in the framework of the PANETEC, and particularly with regard to the adoption of the Family Protection Code, and the number of child HIV/AIDS orphans taken in by care institutions established for them.

2. Child domestic workers. The Committee notes that, in the context of the GAP11, a consultation was held in 2014 to assess and remedy shortcomings in social services and to propose relevant solutions for the protection of child domestic workers. The study prepared for this purpose shows that there is a clear predominance of girls (70 per cent) over boys (30 per cent) in domestic work. The child domestic workers who were met were between 12 and 18 years of age (on average 15). The study also indicates that 85 per cent of the children questioned said that they work both day and night according to the wishes of their employer, and 85 per cent of child domestic workers do not have a daily break at a fixed hour or of a specific length. They work on average between 12 and 15 hours a day, and only 20 per cent of such children have a specific rest day. The report of the consultation indicates that, although social services exist in Cameroon, the absence of an overall policy, aggravated by the lack of statistics, makes it difficult to assess precisely the impact of these services on child domestic workers. The shortcomings identified include the absence of public or private structures specifically dedicated to the protection of child domestic workers and of a global child protection strategy, or more precisely a strategy for the elimination of child labour in domestic work. Considering that child domestic workers are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children engaged in domestic work from the worst forms of child labour, and to provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for their removal and for their rehabilitation and social integration, particularly in the context of the ILO IPEC GAP 11 project. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

[The Government is asked to supply full particulars to the Conference at its 104th Session and to reply in detail to the present comments in 2015.]

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The Committee takes note of the Government’s reply to the communication of 17 October 2008 from the General Confederation of Labour – Liberty of Cameroon (CGTL) and of the Government’s report.

Article 4(3). Periodic review and revision of the list of types of hazardous work. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s reply to the CGTL’s statement that Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 on child labour, which provides for a list of jobs prohibited for children under 18 years of age, was adopted at a time when there was only one trade union and before the Convention was ratified, and is therefore not deficient. The Committee notes, however, that Order No. 17 was issued more than 30 years ago. It therefore reminds the Government that according to Article 4(3) of the Convention, the list of types of work must be periodically examined and revised as necessary in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. It notes the information sent by the Government that a revision of Order No. 17 in the wake of the Labour Code reform is envisaged. The Committee encourages the Government to take steps to revise Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 in the context of the reform of the Labour Code. It reminds the Government in this connection that when the list of types of dangerous work is examined or revised, the organizations of employers and workers concerned must be consulted. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the consultations held in this regard.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. Labour inspection and MINAS regional monitoring brigades. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Labour Code applies only in the context of an employment relationship and does not protect children under 18 years of age who perform dangerous work outside an employment contract. It also noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) has set up provincial monitoring brigades to combat the performance of dangerous work by children, including those who perform work outside a contractual labour relationship, and asked the Government to provide information on the operation of these brigades. The Committee also noted the CGTL’s observation that the brigades cooperate neither with the labour inspectors nor with workers’ organizations.

The Committee notes the Government’s reply to the CGTL’s comments that the labour inspectorate and the monitoring brigades cover different forms of child labour, and that there is nothing to prevent them from cooperating with each other. The two institutions will accordingly ascertain jointly the best way of implementing this idea. The Committee also notes the information in the Government’s report on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), that no labour inspection report mentions the use of children in enterprises. The Committee observes, however, that according to a report entitled “Internationally Recognised Core Labour Standards in Gabon and Cameroon” submitted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on 2 October 2007 to the General Council of the World Trade Organization, the Government does not allocate sufficient resources to support an effective inspection programme. By way of an example, the report indicates that in 2005, the Government employed 58 general labour inspectors to investigate child labour cases. Similarly, the report on the worst forms of child labour states that the resources allocated to the inspection services are inadequate to conduct effective investigations. Consequently, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to build the capacity of the labour inspectorate, particularly in the informal sector, and requests it to send information on measures taken to this end. It also asks the Government to send information in its next report on cooperation between the labour inspectorate and the provincial brigades. It further requests the Government to provide information on the extent and nature of offences reported involving children who work outside a contractual employment relationship in the context of work falling in the category of worst forms of child labour.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation in the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments the Committee noted that, according to a synthesis report of March 2006 on the LUTRENA project, the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon were discussing the possibility of concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the agreement has not yet been finalized. In view of the extent of the trafficking across Cameroon’s borders, the Committee encourages the Government to take the necessary steps to finalize the bilateral cooperation agreement with Nigeria. It asks the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government had added education for children, especially girls, to its poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP). It also noted that a Decent Work Country Programme for Cameroon is being prepared.

The Committee notes that according to the information in the Government’s report, Cameroon plans to reduce poverty and hence reduce significantly the worst forms of child labour under its new growth and employment strategy paper (GESP), which replaces the PRSP. Observing once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential to the abolition of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to provide information on the specific measures it plans to take in the course of implementing the GESP, in order to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, particularly those targeting the effective reduction of poverty among child victims of sale and trafficking and children who carry on hazardous work in cocoa plantations.

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The Committee notes the Government’s reply to the communication of the General Confederation of Labour–Liberty of Cameroon (CGT–Liberté), dated 17 October 2008, and the Government’s report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clauses (b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and for illicit activities. In its previous comments the Committee noted that Cameroon’s legislation did not appear to contain provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. It further noted that Act No. 2005/015 of 20 December 2005, to combat the trafficking of children, contains no provisions expressly prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that these prohibitions will be taken into account in the draft Child Protection Code. It notes with regret that this Code has been in the process of adoption since 2006. The Committee reminds the Government that, according to Article 3(b) and (c) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or pornographic performances and for illicit activities are considered as the worst forms of child labour and that, according to Article 1, immediate and effective measures must be taken as a matter of urgency to secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Consequently, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Child Protection Code is adopted in the near future and that it contains provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or pornographic performances, and the use, procuring or offering of persons under 18 years of age for illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs, as defined in the relevant international Conventions. Provision must also be made for penalties for the abovementioned offences. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard and to provide a copy of the Code as soon as it has been adopted.

Articles 5 and 7(1). Monitoring mechanisms and sanctions. Law enforcement agencies. The Committee noted previously that a vice squad had been established at the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB-Interpol) in Yaoundé. It also noted that, in addition to the monitoring carried out by the vice squad, a telephone number has been made available to encourage the public to report abuse anonymously, and NCB-Interpol has set up a round-the-clock answering service to receive the calls. Furthermore, three contact officers are on permanent standby to carry out investigations. The Committee nonetheless noted the CGT–Liberté’s comment on the absence of any extracts from reports or documents regarding the operation of the vice squad.

The Committee notes the Government’s reply to the CGT–Liberté’s observation that the vice squad is operating well but, for security reasons, no information can be disclosed. It further notes from the information in the Government’s report that extracts of the vice squad’s report will be sent to the Office later. The Government also states in its report that it has no information on the exact number of children identified as victims of trafficking by the NCB-Interpol reporting system or on police investigations. The Committee notes, however, from a report entitled “2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labour”, published on the website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (www.unhcr.org), that the police arrested three traffickers attempting to traffic seven children for the purpose of labour exploitation. According to the same report, the Government of Cameroon has made an effort to monitor its borders for trafficking. However, the Committee notes the information in a report entitled “Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 – Cameroon”, also published on the website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (www.unhcr.org), that the Government of Cameroon did not show evidence of increasing efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders or to identify and protect victims of trafficking. In the course of the reporting period, the authorities conducted investigations into 26 cases of human trafficking, none of which resulted in a prosecution. The report also indicates that there were signs of some officials’ involvement in trafficking. Furthermore, judges, law enforcement officials and social workers do not enforce Act No. 2005/015 because they are unfamiliar with it. Indeed, there is no system to provide them with copies of new laws. The Committee further notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its concluding observations of 18 February 2010 (CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, paragraph 75), expressed regret at the low level of enforcement and implementation of Act No. 2005/015, as well as the lack of data and remedial action. The Committee expresses its deep concern at the low level of enforcement of Act No. 2005/015 and at the allegations of involvement of law enforcement officials in human trafficking. The Committee urges the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure that anyone engaging in the sale and trafficking of children under the age of 18 and any state official involved in such acts is prosecuted and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive sanctions are applied in practice. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that thorough investigations and robust prosecutions of offenders are carried out, in particular by building the capacity of law enforcement agencies through the dissemination of Act No. 2005/015. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to this end and on the results obtained, particularly in terms of the number of investigations and prosecutions carried out.

Article 6. Programmes of action. In its previous comments the Committee noted the completion of the LUTRENA project in Cameroon and accordingly asked the Government to take steps to secure the adoption of a national policy to combat the trafficking of children for the purpose of exploiting their labour, in accordance with the recommendations in the study carried out by ILO–IPEC–LUTRENA in 2005.

The Committee notes that the Government has sent no information on this matter. It notes, however, from the Government’s second report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/CMR/2, paragraphs 222 and 223) that the Government refers to a national plan of action to combat child labour and trafficking in children and a plan of action to combat the sexual exploitation of children, which were drawn up in October 2005. The Committee further notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its concluding observations (CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, paragraph 73) of 18 February 2010, welcomed the approval in July 2009 of the National Plan to Combat Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken under the National Plan to Combat Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation adopted in July 2009, and to provide a copy of this Plan.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clauses (a) and (b). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, removing them from these forms of child labour and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s replies to the CTG–Liberté’s observations stating that there are many reception, transit and accommodation centres in various parts of the country and that the territorial officers have always set up ad hoc transit and accommodation centres when they have to deal with a convoy of trafficked persons. It also notes the information in the Government’s report that there is a plan to set up a national network for combating the trafficking of children and child labour, made up of representatives of the various state authorities, as part of the transfer of ownership of the WACAP and LUTRENA projects, now under way.

The Committee notes the information in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 that the system for referring the victims of trafficking to transit and shelter facilities involves cumbersome administrative procedures. The report also states that in August 2009 the Ministry of Social Affairs began working with UNICEF to draft a manual that would show well‑respected families in local communities how to create foster homes that provide shelter, food, health care and education to trafficking victims. This new system to protect such victims through the provision of foster care is to start up in 2010. The Committee further notes that in its written replies to the list of issues raised by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in its examination of the second periodic report (CRC/C/CMR/Q/2/Add.1, paragraph 59), the Government places action to combat the trafficking and exploitation of children among its urgent and high priority issues. The Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to prevent children under 18 years of age from falling victim to sale and trafficking and to remove them from these worst forms of child labour, taking care in particular to simplify the administrative procedure for placing child victims of trafficking in transit and shelter facilities. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the number of children actually removed from this worst form of child labour and placed in transit and shelter facilities and foster families. It further asks the Government to provide information on the rehabilitation and social integration measures taken to provide child victims of sale and trafficking with access to free basic education and occupational training. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation and functioning of the national network to combat the trafficking of children.

2. Hazardous work and exploitation of child labour in cocoa plantations. The Committee noted previously that a system to monitor child labour in plantations has been set up and that a number of children were prevented from working on cocoa plantations or withdrawn from such work under the WACAP project. Noting that the WACAP project had ended in Cameroon, it asked the Government to take steps to follow up on these prevention and withdrawal measures, particularly for children working on cocoa plantations.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that, under the WACAP and LUTRENA projects, 5,413 children were rescued from trafficking. Noting that the Government’s report contains no information on the follow-up to the WACAP project, it urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to prevent children under 18 years of age from working in cocoa plantations and to have them withdrawn therefrom. It also asks the Government to take measures for their rehabilitation and social reintegration, in particular, by affording them access to free compulsory basic education and to vocational training. Lastly, it asks the Government to supply detailed information on the measures taken to this end and on the results obtained.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments the Committee noted that according to the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, the number of children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS appeared to have increased to 300,000 in 2007. It accordingly asked the Government to step up efforts to prevent the employment of children in the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/CMR/2, paragraph 31) of April 2008 that, with the involvement of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an initiative under the authority of the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to provide access for 300,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) to basic social services by 2010. It notes, however, from the same report that the Government has noted an aggravation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has resulted in an increase in the number of OVCs. Indeed, in its report of March 2010 submitted in the context of follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, the Government indicates that in 2009 there were 327,600 HIV/AIDS orphans in Cameroon. It further notes that efforts undertaken remain insufficient, and that the promotion of education for OVCs must be continued. The Committee also notes that, in its concluding observations (CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, paragraph 45), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the limited availability of residential care facilities and other forms of alternative care for abandoned children and orphans, as well as the limited quality of care in institutions. It likewise expressed concern about the lack of an adequate policy and insufficient human, technical and financial resources for alternative care. Expressing its concern at the increase in the number of HIV/AIDS orphans, the Committee urges the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS are not engaged in the worst forms of child labour. It asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results obtained under the National Programme for Support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (PNS-OVC), with particular reference to the provision of access to free compulsory basic education for OVCs.

2. Street children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the statistics sent by the Government in its report showing that, between 2008 and 2009, 904 street children of 4 to 18 years of age were identified by the Yaoundé and Douala social centres. Of the 469 children identified in 2009, 119 were returned to families, 63 were enrolled in school and 62 were placed in institutions. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report of April 2008 to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/CMR/2, paragraphs 233 and 235) that in Cameroon there are 10,000 children living and/or working in the streets countrywide, particularly in big cities such as Yaoundé, Douala and Ngaoundéré. It further notes that, in its written replies to the list of issues raised by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/CMR/Q/2/Add.1, paragraph 59), the Government places action to combat the street children phenomenon among the issues it deems to be of high priority and in need of urgent attention. Furthermore, according to information given by the Government to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, a new project to combat the phenomenon of street children is scheduled to start up in March 2010. Considering that street children are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to pursue its effort to identify, withdraw and reintegrate street children. It asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results obtained under the project to combat the phenomenon of street children.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the statistics published in the National Report on Child Labour in Cameroon conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) in cooperation with ILO–IPEC and published in December 2008. The results of the abovementioned survey show that in 2007 2,441,181 children aged between 5 and 17 years (41 per cent) worked in Cameroon. The report also shows that 266,594 children (4.4 per cent) in this age group are affected by hazardous work. Furthermore, the percentage is nearly twice as high in urban as in rural areas and the phenomenon is particularly marked in cities such as Douala and Yaoundé. The Committee also notes that, according to the report on the worst forms of child labour, most working children are to be found in the urban informal sector. The Committee nonetheless observes that, among the worst forms of child labour, only hazardous work is dealt with by the National Report on Child Labour. It takes note of the concern expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in its concluding observations (CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, paragraph 19) about the lack of reliable data, inter alia, on street children and child victims of trafficking or sexual exploitation. The Committee expresses deep concern at the number of children employed in hazardous work and accordingly urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure that children are protected from this worst form of child labour in practice. It also asks the Government to provide statistics on the nature, extent and trends of worst forms of child labour, particularly as regards the sale and trafficking of children and street children. It further requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of offences reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penal sanctions applied. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by sex and age.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.

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The Committee takes note of the communication of 17 October 2008 from the General Confederation of Labour – Liberty of Cameroon (CGTL) and the Government’s report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon’s legislation appeared not to contain provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. It noted that a Child Protection Code was to be enacted and would take account of child pornography. The Committee notes the information sent by the Government to the effect that it undertakes to send the abovementioned Code to the Office as soon as it is adopted. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Child Protection Code will prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. It asks the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Code is adopted in the near future and to provide a copy of it as soon as it is adopted.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. The Committee noted previously the Government statement that Act No. 2005/015 of 20 December 2005 to combat the trafficking of children applies to the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for illicit activities. The Committee notes that the Government indicates more particularly that section 2(d) of this Act covers the illicit activities about which the Committee has been expressing concern. The Committee notes that section 2(d) of the Act states that the exploitation of children “shall cover at least the exploitation and procuring of children or all other forms of sexual exploitation, the exploitation of children’s labour or forced services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs”. The Committee reminds the Government that, according to Article 3(c) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities is among the worst forms of child labour and so must be expressly prohibited by the national legislation. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to prohibit by law the use, procuring or offering of children under 18 years of age for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs or for begging.

Clause (d). Hazardous work. Self-employed workers. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Labour Code does not apply to children under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work outside a contractual employment relationship. The Committee notes the information sent by the Government in its report that the Ministry of Social Affairs has set up provincial monitoring brigades to combat the use of children in hazardous work including children who work outside a contractual employment relationship. The Committee notes that according to the CGTL, the provincial brigades do not work side by side with labour inspectors or workers’ organizations. The CGTL indicates that it plans to find out how the brigades operate. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the operation of the provincial brigades, particularly in terms of the number of children who have been found working outside a contractual employment relationship.

Article 4, paragraphs 1 and 3. Determining hazardous types of work or employment and periodic review. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Order No. 17 on child labour, issued on 27 May 1969, provides for a list of jobs prohibited for children under 18 years of age.

The Committee notes that the CGTL states in its comments that Order No. 17 was issued following consultation with the only trade union that existed at the time, before the Convention was adopted. It further indicates that no more recent consultations have been organized with employers’ and workers’ organizations for the purpose of determining hazardous types of work.

The Committee observes that Order No. 17 was adopted more than 30 years ago. It draws the Government’s attention to Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Convention, which calls on the Government to examine and review periodically the list of the types of work or employment referred to in Article 3(d), of the Convention, in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned. The Committee requests the Government to take steps to review the list of jobs which are prohibited for children under 18 years of age after consultation of the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. 
(i) Monitoring system. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the synthesis reports on the ILO–IPEC subregional project to combat the trafficking of children in West and Central Africa (LUTRENA) issued in March and September 2006, show that a system for monitoring child trafficking has been set up in the country. It also noted that a vice squad has been established at BCN-Interpol in Yaoundé to combat the trafficking, exploitation and abuse of children.

The Committee notes that, according to the CGTL, no extracts have been produced from reports or documents pertaining to the operation of the vice squad. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that as well as the monitoring carried out by the vice squad, a number has been made available to encourage the public to report such abuse anonymously and that BCN-Interpol has set up a round-the-clock answering service to receive these calls. The Government further indicates that three contact officers are on permanent standby to carry out investigations. The Committee further notes that according to the report on the ILO–IPEC project “Combating the trafficking of children for the purpose of exploiting their labour by reinforcing the national legislation on trafficking and the relevant institutional capacity to secure effective application of the law”, which covers the period from 1 September 2006 to 28 February 2007, six vigilance committees were established with the aim of involving the communities in observation and surveillance work. Special training has been devised to build the capacity of the members of these committees. The Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the running of the vice squad, including extracts of reports or documents. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking who have been identified by the call-in system set up by BCN-Interpol and by the vigilance committees and who have been rehabilitated and integrated in society.

(ii) Police. The Committee notes from a document entitled “The role of the police in managing the trafficking, smuggling and domestic exploitation of children”, the Cameroon police has focused its work on prevention, punishment and rehabilitation so as to combat child trafficking effectively in accordance with the Act to combat child trafficking. To this end, in the area of prevention, the police is engaged in raising public awareness through the media and in the surveillance of public places and of borders. Its law enforcement work consists in making the victims safe and gaining their trust, reporting the offence and gathering evidence, tracking down the perpetrators and their accomplices and bringing them before the appropriate judicial body. In the rehabilitation phase the police assist, inter alia, in repatriating the victims, returning them to their families if the latter are not implicated in the trafficking or else handing them over to appropriate institutions with a view to their social integration. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations conducted by the police and the number of offences reported under the Act to combat the trafficking of children.

2. System for monitoring child labour in plantations. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, under the ILO–IPEC regional programme to combat hazardous work and the exploitation of child labour in cocoa plantations and commercial agriculture in West and Central Africa (WACAP), a child labour monitoring system has been established. The Committee notes from WACAP’s synthesis report No. 4 on the child labour monitoring system that the system requires the participation of all strata of society from community to government level and aims in particular: to raise public awareness of the problem of child labour; to identify child workers engaged in agriculture and cocoa plantations and determine the risks to which they are exposed; to refer the children thus identified to institutions providing social protection services; to ensure that the children are withdrawn from work or, in the case of those allowed to work, that they are not exposed to any occupational risks. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of children in cocoa plantations in Cameroon who have been identified by this monitoring system and withdrawn from work and subsequently referred to social protection institutions.

Article 6. Programmes of action. 1. National programme of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour was to be formulated. It noted that a National Steering Committee has been established to implement the ILO–IPEC programmes. It expressed the hope that in the course of its work the steering committee would formulate a national action plan to abolish the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes that in its comments the CGTL expresses the hope that the National Steering Committee will formulate a policy and a national action plan to combat child labour. The Committee observes in this connection the Government’s statement that it has taken note of the Committee’s recommendations. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take steps to ensure that a national action plan is drawn up for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect. Moreover, it requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the National Steering Committee and the work it has undertaken to abolish the worst forms of child labour.

2. National policy to combat the trafficking of children for the purpose of exploiting their labour. The Committee noted previously a study carried out by ILO–IPEC–LUTRENA in 2005 on the trafficking of children for the exploitation of their labour in Cameroon. It noted in particular that one of the study’s recommendations is that a national policy should be formulated to combat the trafficking of children for the exploitation of their labour. The Committee notes that the Government says nothing of this matter in its report. It further notes that Cameroon is no longer involved in the LUTRENA project. Consequently, the Committee urges the Government to take measures to ensure that a national policy to combat the trafficking of children for the purpose of exploiting their labour is adopted, and to provide information in this regard.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Effective and time-bound measures. Clauses (a) and (b). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour and removing them therefrom. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a study carried out by ILO–IPEC–LUTRENA on the trafficking of children for the purpose of labour exploitation in Cameroon recommended improving knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of trafficking, changing public attitudes and encouraging greater mobilization of the authorities, civil society, trade unions and families.

The Committee notes that Cameroon is no longer involved in the LUTRENA project. It notes, however, from the synthesis report on the ILO–IPEC project on combating the trafficking of children for the purpose of labour exploitation by reinforcing the national legislation against trafficking and the relevant institutional capacity for effective application of the law, covering the period from 1 September 2006 to 28 February 2007, four action programmes have been implemented, two for the reintegration of child victims of trafficking and two for training and awareness raising. In the context of these action programmes, 161 children have been identified either as victims or at risk of trafficking and have been enrolled in primary school or vocational training programmes. Furthermore, two workshops have been organized to raise awareness among the communities and traditional chiefs. In all, the action programmes have assisted some 246 children and provided 678 educational or other services. The Committee also notes from the information sent by the Government that brochures about child trafficking and the rights of children were produced for the African Children’s Day, held on 16 June 2007. The Government also states that Decree No. 2001/109/PM of 20 March 2001 on the organization and running of public institutions to support socially maladjusted children provides for the creation of reception and transit centres and accommodation centres. As more and more centres open, children who have fallen victim to trafficking and exploitation will have access to temporary psycho-social support with a view to rehabilitation and social integration on a durable basis.

In this connection, the Committee notes that in its comments, the CGTL asserts that so far no reception and transit centres and no accommodation centres, as provided for in Decree No. 2001/109/PM of 20 March 2001, have been, or are being, created.

The Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to implement measures for the establishment of awareness-raising campaigns and to provide information of their impact on preventing the trafficking of children. Furthermore, since the LUTRENA project has been completed in Cameroon, it asks the Government to provide information on the effective and time-bound measures taken or envisaged to: (a) prevent children from falling victim to trafficking; (b) provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from this worst form of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration, in particular through the establishment of the reception, transit and accommodation centres provided for in Decree No. 2001/109/PM of 20 March 2001. The Government is also asked to report on the progress made and the results obtained in this respect.

2. Hazardous work and the exploitation of children’s labour in cocoa plantations. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon was a participant in the WACAP project implemented under the ILO–IPEC regional programme, in which Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria are also associated. The Committee notes from WACAP’s synthesis report No. 3 on shared experiences (synthesis report No. 3) that, as a result the WACAP project, a total of 1,517 children have been withdrawn from, or prevented from engaging in, work on cocoa plantations in Cameroon, through the provision of education services (1,383) and other services (134). According to the same report, 55 communities have been affected by the WACAP project and 605 parents or guardians have directly benefited from it. The Committee notes that implementation of the WACAP project is now complete. However, according to synthesis report No. 3, in Cameroon the awareness-raising activities carried out under the WACAP project have prompted the Government to commit itself to combating this scourge. The synthesis report No. 3 also indicates that the States participating in the WACAP project have all identified measures to ensure follow-up of the work done during the project’s implementation. Such measures include organizing seminars on child labour in cocoa plantations; ongoing involvement of communities in child labour issues using tools provided by the WACAP project; offering informal education opportunities to children withdrawn from labour in the cocoa plantations who are unready to enter the formal school system; consolidating and building on achievements resulting from the WACAP project. The Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure follow-up of the WACAP project and also to ensure that children are prevented from being employed in cocoa plantations and are actually withdrawn from such plantations. The Government is asked to provide information on measures taken in this respect.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. Orphans and HIV/AIDS. The Committee noted previously that, according to statistics produced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2004 and 2006, some 240,000 children have been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. It noted the information communicated by the Government in its report that it had taken a number of measures to prevent transmission of the virus. The Committee also noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health and various non-governmental organizations had implemented a project involving more than 21,000 children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and other children vulnerable to the virus. The Committee notes, however, that according to the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, the number of children orphaned because of the virus appears to have increased to 300,000 in 2007. Considering that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS are at increased risk from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS are prevented from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the results obtained.

2. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the information sent by the Government to the effect that the Ministry of Social Affairs gives support to all non-governmental organizations working for prevention and for the rehabilitation and reintegration of street children who fall victim to violence and exploitation and provides them with assistance to facilitate the provision of care to these children. The Committee also noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Belgian Red Cross, has set up centres for listening support, reception and social reintegration for street children in Yaoundé to enable them to return to their own families or be placed in foster families. The Committee further noted that in 2003 and 2004, more than 351 children were returned to their families. The Committee once again reminds the Government that street children are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, and asks it to provide information on the number of children removed from the streets and rehabilitated as a result of the measures taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Regional cooperation regarding the sale and trafficking of children. The Committee noted previously that a synthesis report on the LUTRENA project issued in March 2006 showed that the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon were discussing the possibility of concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement. The Committee notes that no information has been sent on this matter, and again asks the Government to indicate in its next report whether this agreement has been concluded.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government had added education for children, especially girls, to its poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP). It also noted the Government’s statement that the projects established in the context of the PRSP contribute to combating poverty among parents and hence to decreasing the number of children who are economically exploited. The Committee notes the information sent by the Government to the effect that the PRSP is undergoing revision. It also notes that a decent work country programme (DWCP) for Cameroon is being prepared. Pointing out once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the vicious circle of poverty, which is essential to the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the course of implementing the PRSP and also the DWCP, if any, to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, and particularly to reduce poverty effectively among children who are the victims of sale and trafficking and those engaged in hazardous work in the cocoa plantations.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from synthesis report No. 2 of the WACAP project, which is on health and safety in the cocoa plantations, that the most hazardous of the jobs performed on Cameroon’s cocoa plantations involve the use of pesticides, deforesting and the transport of heavy loads. The same report further indicates that the older they are, the more likely children are to use pesticides, 10 per cent of children aged 5–7 years are engaged in spraying pesticides in the cocoa plantations of Cameroon. The Committee further notes that an ILO–IPEC action programme entitled “Survey and development of a database on child labour” was launched in March 2007 under which the Government, through the National Statistics Institute (INS), conducted a module survey on child labour in 2007 with a view to carrying out a fuller survey nationwide. The ILO–IPEC programme aims ultimately to build the national capacity to carry out surveys on child labour at regular intervals. The Committee requests the Government to provide the statistics compiled as a result of the survey conducted in 2007 under the ILO–IPEC programme on the development of a database on child labour in Cameroon, particularly as regards the worst forms of child labour, including the sale and trafficking of children for the purpose of exploiting their labour and child labour in the cocoa plantations.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). 1. Sale and trafficking of children for economic and sexual exploitation. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Cameroon is one of the nine West African countries, in addition to Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Togo, which are participating in the ILO/IPEC subregional project to combat the trafficking of children in West and Central Africa (LUTRENA). The Committee also noted, according to the synthesis report on the ILO/IPEC subregional project entitled “Combating the Trafficking in Children for Labour Exploitation in West and Central Africa”, that Cameroon is a destination country for children for both economic and sexual exploitation. The children mainly come from Benin and Nigeria. It requested the Government to take the necessary measures to strengthen the national legislation on the sale and trafficking of children for both economic and sexual purposes. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Act No. 2005/015 of 20 December 2005 to combat the trafficking of children [hereinafter, the Act to combat the trafficking of children]. It requests the Government to provide information on the application of the new Act in practice, with an indication of the number and nature of the violations reported, the investigations undertaken, legal proceedings, convictions and penal sanctions applied.

2. Forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national legislation on the armed forces provides that recruitment into the armed forces in Cameroon takes place as from 18 years. It requests the Government to provide a copy of the legislation governing the age of recruitment into the armed forces.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. The Committee noted previously that, in its concluding observations on Cameroon’s initial report (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 64 and 65), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including pornography. The Committee of Experts noted that the national legislation does not seem to include provisions prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of a young person under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. It notes that, according to the information available on the Interpol web site, a Child Protection Code will soon be enacted and will take into account child pornography. The Committee hopes that the Code will soon be enacted and will prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a young person under 18 years of age for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances and it requests the Government to provide information in this respect.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. The Committee requested the Government previously to indicate the measures adopted to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a young person under 18 years of age for illicit activities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Act to combat the trafficking of children applies to this worst form of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the Act establishes the prohibition of the use, procuring or offering of a young person under 18 years of age for illicit activities, and particularly for begging and the production and trafficking of drugs.

Article 3(d). Hazardous work. Self-employed workers. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Labour Code does not apply to young persons under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work without an employment contract. It requested the Government to indicate the manner in which the national legislation provides that young persons under 18 years of age who are engaged in work outside a contractual employment relationship benefit from the protection afforded by Article 3(d) of the Convention, namely that they do not become engaged in hazardous work. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that the Ministry of Social Affairs has established provincial monitoring brigades to combat the performance of hazardous work by children. It requests the Government to provide fuller information on the operation of these provincial brigades.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes that the synthesis reports on the ILO/IPEC/LUTRENA project of March and September 2006 show that a system of surveillance concerning the trafficking of children has been established in the country. It also notes that a vice squad has been set up in the BCN-Interpol in Yaoundé to combat the trafficking, exploitation and abuse of children. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the system for monitoring the trafficking of children, with an indication of the measures adopted to prevent and penalize the trafficking of children, and to secure the rehabilitation and social integration of child victims of this worst form of child labour. It also requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the vice squad, particularly by supplying extracts of reports or other documents.

2. System for monitoring child labour in plantations. The Committee notes that, in the context of the ILO/IPEC regional programme to combat hazardous work and the exploitation of child labour in cocoa plantations and commercial agriculture in West and Central Africa (WACAP), a system has been established to monitor child labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the monitoring system, including through the provision of extracts of reports or documents.

Article 6. Programmes of action. 1. National action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour was to be formulated. The Committee also noted that a National Steering Committee was to be established. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour has not yet been formulated, but that the Steering Committee for the implementation of ILO/IPEC programmes has been established. It notes that the Steering Committee is responsible for contributing to the implementation of activities to abolish child labour in Cameroon and for proposing solutions for the integration of IPEC activities into national efforts to combat child labour. The Committee hopes that, in the context of these activities, the Steering Committee will formulate a national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and it requests the Government to provide information in this respect. It also requests the Government to provide information on the operation of the National Steering Committee and the activities that it has undertaken for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

2. National policy to combat the trafficking of children for labour exploitation. The Committee notes the study carried out by ILO/IPEC/LUTRENA in 2005 entitled “Trafficking of children for the exploitation of their labour in Cameroon”. It notes in particular that one of the recommendations of the study is the formulation of a national policy to combat the trafficking of children for the exploitation of their labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in this respect.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Effective and time-bound measures. The Committee notes with interest the efforts made by the Government for the implementation of Phases III and IV of the ILO/IPEC/LUTRENA project and the ILO/IPEC/WACAP project and strongly encourages it to continue its efforts to combat the worst forms of child labour.

Clauses (a) and (b). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour and removing them from these worst forms of child labour. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. (i) Results achieved. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of the LUTRENA project in Cameroon, with an indication of the number of children prevented from becoming victims of trafficking or removed from this worst form of child labour. It also requested the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to ensure the rehabilitation and social integration of these children. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government that 109 child victims of trafficking were removed from this worst form of child labour and over 80 families benefited from income-generating activities. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the implementation of the LUTRENA project and the results achieved in terms of: (a) preventing children from becoming victims of trafficking; and (b) providing the necessary and appropriate direct assistance to remove child victims of this worst form of child labour and ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. In this regard, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether reception centres for child victims of trafficking have been established in the country to receive such children and whether specific medical and social follow-up programmes have been formulated and implemented for child victims of trafficking.

(ii) Other measures. Training and awareness-raising programme. The Committee notes from the synthesis report of the ILO/IPEC/LUTRENA project of March 2006 that a training programme has been organized for personnel working on the national frontiers, particularly those on the borders between Cameroon, Gabon and Nigeria. This training has also been provided to the police, judges and social workers involved in dealing with cases of the trafficking of children. The Committee notes that the study carried out by ILO/IPEC/LUTRENA on the trafficking of children for the exploitation of their labour in Cameroon shows that, while the reality of the problem has been demonstrated, lack of knowledge and ambiguity towards the phenomenon prevail. The study therefore recommends strengthening knowledge and understanding of trafficking, changing the attitudes of the public and promoting greater mobilization by the authorities, civil society, trade unions and families. In view of the above, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures adopted to establish training programmes and awareness-raising campaigns with a view to training and mobilizing the authorities, trade unions, civil society and families in relation to the trafficking of children.

2. Hazardous work and the exploitation of child labour in cocoa plantations.  The Committee noted previously that the Cameroon is a participant in the ILO/IPEC regional programme to combat hazardous work and the exploitation of child labour in cocoa plantations/commercial agriculture in West and Central Africa (WACAP), in which Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria are also associated. It noted that 150 children had been removed from cocoa plantations in Cameroon and that a further 100 were soon to be removed. It also noted that financial assistance was granted to families to facilitate the rehabilitation and social integration of the children removed from this work. The Committee requested the Government to provide fuller information on the implementation of this programme and the results achieved. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the WACAP project has resulted in the identification of around 5,000 children who were engaged in dangerous work in these plantations and the reintegration of 1,109 children into formal schools and vocational training centres. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the number of children who are prevented from being engaged in cocoa plantations and are removed from these plantations in practice. It also requests the Government to provide information on the rehabilitation and social integration measures adopted for children withdrawn from this work.

Clause (c). Ensuring the access to free basic education and vocational training of all the children removed from the worst forms of child labour. Recalling that education of the most effective means of combating child labour, and particularly the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in the context of the LUTRENA and WACAP projects to ensure that child victims of trafficking and children engaged in hazardous work in cocoa plantations who are removed from these worst forms of child labour have access to free basic education or vocational training.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS orphans. The Committee noted previously that, according to the information contained in the Epidemiological factsheet for 2004, produced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are reported to be around 240,000 children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. The Committee requested the Government to spare no effort to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS by preventing its transmission among the population and to supply information on the specific time-bound measures adopted to protect child HIV/AIDS orphans from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes that, according to the new Report on the Global Aids Epidemic, published by UNAIDS in May 2006, the number of children orphaned as a result of the virus is still around 240,000. It notes, however, the information provided by the Government in its report that it has taken a number of measures to prevent the transmission of the virus, including: the establishment of free and anonymous testing and a project to combat HIV/AIDS in the workplace; awareness-raising campaigns by the Committee set up to combat the disease; and the reduction of the cost of tritherapy. The Committee also notes that the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health and various NGOs have implemented a project addressing over 21,000 child HIV/AIDS orphans and other children who are vulnerable to the virus. The Committee takes due note of this information and strongly encourages the Government to continue its efforts to prevent the transmission of the virus among the population and to protect child HIV/AIDS orphans from becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour.

2. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, in its concluding observations on the initial report of Cameroon (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 62 to 65), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed its concern at the increasing number of street children and the lack of specific mechanisms to address this situation and provide those children with adequate assistance. The Committee on the Rights of the Child also expressed concern at the inadequacy of programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation and it recommended the Government to implement appropriate policies and programmes for prevention and for the rehabilitation and integration of child victims. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that the Ministry of Social Affairs supports all NGOs working in this field and provides them with assistance to facilitate the provision of care to these children. It also notes that the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Belgian Red Cross, has established listening, reception and social reintegration centres for street children in Yaoundé, thereby enabling them to return to their families or to be placed in a host family. The Committee also notes that between 2003 and 2004, over 351 children were returned to their families. Recalling that children living in the streets are particularly exposed to the worst forms of child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to protect street children from the worst forms of child labour and to provide for their rehabilitation and social integration.

Article 8. International cooperation. 1. Poverty reduction. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, according to a progress report in the context of the ILO/IPEC/WACAP project, the Government has added education for children and particularly girls, to its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It also notes the Government’s indication that the projects established in the context of the PRSP are contributing to combating the poverty of parents and therefore to a decrease to the number of children who are economically exploited. Noting once again that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the vicious 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 PRSP on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, with particular regard to the school attendance rate of children, and especially girls.

2. Regional cooperation in relation to the sale and trafficking of children. (i) Bilateral agreement. The Committee notes from the synthesis report on the LUTRENA project for March 2006 that the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon are discussing the possibility of concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress of these discussions and to indicate whether the agreement has been concluded.

(ii) Collaboration with neighbouring countries. The Committee is of the view that cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the countries of origin, transit and destination of child victims of trafficking, particularly with the judicial authorities and police forces, is indispensable to prevent and combat this worst form of child labour, through the collection and exchange of information, and through assistance to detect and prosecute the individuals involved and to repatriate victims. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to facilitate the exchange of information between the countries of origin, transit and destination of child victims of trafficking and, where appropriate, to indicate whether exchanges of information have resulted in: (1) the apprehension and arrest of persons working in networks involved in the trafficking of children; and (2) the detection and interception of child victims of trafficking in border areas.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the reference in the activities report of the ILO/IPEC/WACAP project that a study on occupational safety and health has been undertaken in the largest cocoa plantations in the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the study.

CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). 1.  Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes that Cameroon is one of nine West African countries, along with Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Togo, which participate in the Subregional Programme to Combat the Trafficking of Children in West and Central Africa (LUTRENA) which was launched in July 2001 in collaboration with the ILO/IPEC. One of the objectives of the LUTRENA programme is to strengthen national legislations in the field of the fight against trafficking in children, with a view to effectively harmonizing the legislation prohibiting trafficking. The Committee notes that section 293(1)(b) of the Penal Code provides for sanctions for any person who engages in the trafficking of another person. Moreover, section 352 and section 353 of the Penal Code respectively provide for penalties for the kidnapping of minors or kidnapping by fraud or violence. It notes however that, according to the synthesis report on the ILO/IPEC subregional project entitled "Combating the Trafficking in Children for Labour Exploitation in West and Central Africa", Cameroon is a destination country for children, mainly from Benin and Nigeria, both for economic and sexual exploitation. One existing gap in the national legislation is the fact that children can cross the border of a country without prior parental consent, thus facilitating the work of intermediaries. The Committee notes that, according to ILO/IPEC information for 2004, LUTRENA has carried out activities in Cameroon aimed at strengthening the national legislation on the fight against trafficking in children.

The Committee recalls that, by virtue of Article 3(a) of the Convention, the sale and trafficking in children under the age of 18 is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour and that, by virtue of Article 1 of the Convention, each Member which ratifies this Convention shall take immediate and effective measures to secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. The Committee requests the Government to take the measures necessary to strengthen the national legislation on the sale and trafficking of children both for economic and sexual purposes. It also requests the Government to indicate to what extent sections 293(1)(b), 352 and 353 of the Penal Code criminalize those persons found guilty of the sale and trafficking of children under the age of 18 both for economic and sexual exploitation.

2. Debt bondage, serfdom and forced or compulsory labour. The Committee notes that section 293(1)(a) of the Penal Code imposes sanctions on any person who enslaves another or keeps him in slavery. It also notes that section 292 of the same Code also imposes sanctions on any person who, in his own interest, requires another to perform work or service against his will. Furthermore, the Committee notes that, under the terms of article 2(3) of the Labour Code, forced or compulsory labour is prohibited. By virtue of section 2(4) of the Labour Code, "forced or compulsory labour is work or service exacted from an individual under the menace of any penalty whatsoever and for which the said individual has not offered her or himself voluntarily".

3. Forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. Noting that the Government has not supplied any information on this provision of the Convention, the Committee recalls that, by virtue of Article 3(a), the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 years of age for use in armed conflict is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour. It thus requests the Government to supply information on the provisions of the legislation prohibiting the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 years of age for use in armed conflict.

Clause (b). 1. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. The Committee notes that, in its concluding observations on Cameroon’s initial report, made in November 2001 (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 64 and 65), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography. The Committee recommended that the Government undertake studies with a view to assessing the scope of commercial sexual exploitation of children, in particular with regard to prostitution and pornography.

With respect to prostitution, the Committee notes that section 294(1) of the Penal Code imposes penalties on anyone who entices, assists or facilitates another person to enter into prostitution or who receives a share, even on an occasional basis, of the profits of the prostitution of another person or who receives subsidies from a person engaged in prostitution. It also notes that, by virtue of section 343(2) of the same Code, penalties shall be imposed on whosoever, with a view to prostitution or debauchery, publicly, through the use of gestures, words, the written word or by any other means, proceeds to solicit another person of either sex. Moreover, the Committee notes that section 344 of the Penal Code criminalizes those who instigate, encourage or facilitate the debauchery or corruption of a person under the age of 21. Having taken account of the concerns expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee notes that the application of the national legislation in practice presents certain difficulties. It requests the Government to supply information on the implementation of the above provisions of the penalties in practice, providing, amongst others, reports on the number of convictions. Furthermore, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the national legislation contains provisions criminalizing the client in the case of prostitution.

As to pornography, the Committee notes that the national legislation does not seem to include provisions giving effect to this provision of the Convention. The Committee recalls that Article 3 of the Convention identifies the use, procuring and offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances as one of the worst forms of child labour. It therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit this form of child labour.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. The Committee notes that the Government has not supplied any information on this provision. It recalls that, by virtue of Article 3 of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities is identified as one of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit this form of child labour.

Article 3(d). Hazardous work. Self-employed workers. The Committee notes that section 1(1), Act No. 92/007, of 14 August 1992, promulgating the Labour Code (Labour Code) applies to employment relations between workers and employers. Section 1(2) defines the term "worker" as any person who has undertaken to place their occupational activity, in return for remuneration, under the direction and authority of a physical or moral, public or private, person, that other person being considered to be the "employer". The Committee notes that, accordingly, the Labour Code does not apply to children under 18 who do not work under an employment contract but who are engaged to do hazardous work. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the national legislation provides that self-employed children enjoy the protection provided in Article 3(d) of the Convention, that is to say, to ensure that they do not become engaged in work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.

Article 4, paragraph 1. Determination of types of hazardous work. The Committee notes that Order No. 17 relative to child labour of 27 May 1969 (Order No. 17) contains several provisions that prohibit children under 18 from engaging in hazardous work. Thus, section 10(1) of the Order prohibits the employment of children (under 18), whether worker or apprentice (section 2) in underground work in mines, quarries and tunnels. Section 14 of the Order prohibits the employment of children in all work involving the use of compressed air. Alongside its specific provisions, Order No. 17 contains a table A consisting of a detailed list of the types of dangerous work prohibited to children under 18. Furthermore, under the terms of section 3 of Order No. 17 "[…] the employment of children is subject to compliance with satisfactory working conditions which guarantee their health, physical and mental development and morals".

Paragraph 2. Identification of types of hazardous work. The Committee notes that the Government has not supplied any information relative to this paragraph. It recalls that, by virtue of Article 4, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the competent authority, after consultations with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, shall identify where the types of work so determined exist. It thus requests the Government to take the measures necessary to give effect to the Convention with regard to this subject.

Article 5. Mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the provisions giving effect to the Convention. The Committee notes that sections 105 to 111 of the Labour Code establish the functions of the labour and social security inspectors. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the functions of the labour and social security inspectors, in particular with regard to the worst forms of child labour, especially by means of extracts from reports or documents. To the extent that Article 3(a) to (c) of the Convention addresses offences of a criminal nature, the Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether monitoring mechanisms which complement the labour and social security administration service have been implemented to ensure the application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. 1. National action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, according to which a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is soon to be signed by the Government with the ILO/IPEC programme. It also notes that, in this context, a national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour is to be developed and that the organizations of employers and workers will be closely involved in developing this action plan. Furthermore, it notes that a national steering committee is to be established when the programme reaches the implementation stage. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour as soon as it has been developed. It requests the Government, furthermore, to supply information on the operation of the national steering committee as soon as it has been established.

2. Subregional Programme to Combat the Trafficking of Children in West and Central Africa (LUTRENA). The Committee notes that, in the context of the LUTRENA programme, the Government has developed a national action plan to combat trafficking in children. It requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the national action plan on the elimination of trafficking in children and on the results attained.

Article 7, paragraph 1. Penalties. The Committee notes that sections 292, 293, 294, 343, 352 and 353 of the Penal Code criminalize slavery, the sale and trafficking of children, forced or compulsory labour, as well as the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. It also notes that sections 167, 172 and 184 of the Labour Code provide penalties in the case of infringements of the provisions relative to hazardous work. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of these penalties in practice.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Effective and time-bound measures. Clauses (a), (c) and (e). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour and the special situation of girls. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, according to which the national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, which will be developed following the signature of the MOU between the Government and the ILO/IPEC will include measures to respond to specific concerns, in particular with regard to: the identification of children at special risk from illicit labour; the special situation of girls and access to free basic education and vocational training for children who have been removed from the worst forms of labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide more information on the implementation of the national action programme for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour with regard to the particular concerns mentioned above and on the results attained.

Clause (b). Removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and their rehabilitation and social integration. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes that, in its concluding observations of November 2001 (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 60 and 61), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed deep concern at the large number of children being sold by their parents and who are consequently exploited in the labour market. That Committee also expressed concern at information on alleged instances of trafficking in children for their exploitation in Cameroon and neighbouring countries and at the possible use of inter-country adoption for the purpose of trafficking and recommended that the Government take measures to prevent and combat the sale and trafficking of children, including an awareness-raising campaign and educational programmes aimed at parents in particular; facilitate the reunification of child victims with their families and provide adequate care and rehabilitation for them.

The Committee notes that, according to the information available to the Office, the LUTRENA programme has allowed more than 9,000 child victims of trafficking in nine countries which participate in the programme, to be removed from this worst form of child labour and to benefit from rehabilitation programmes. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the impact of the LUTRENA programme in Cameroon, in particular with regard to the number of child victims of trafficking who have been removed. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure the rehabilitation and social integration of these children.

2. The ILO/IPEC regional West Africa Cocoa/Commercial Agriculture Programme to Combat Hazardous and Exploitative Child Labour (WACAP). The Committee notes that Cameroon is a participant in the ILO/IPEC regional West Africa Cocoa/Commercial Agriculture Programme to Combat Hazardous and Exploitative Child Labour (WACAP), alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria. According to the information available to the ILO, 150 children have been removed from cocoa plantations in Cameroon and a further 100 are soon to be removed. Furthermore, it notes that financial aid has been granted to the families to facilitate the rehabilitation and social reinsertion of the children affected. The Committee requests the Government to provide more information on the implementation of this programme and on the results attained.

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. HIV/AIDS. The Committee notes that, in its concluding observations on the initial report of Cameroon (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 46 and 47), the Committee on the Rights of the Child noted the existence of a national AIDS prevention programme and the effort of the Government in that respect (e. g. agreement with pharmaceutical companies to ensure cheap access to AIDS drugs). However, that Committee remained extremely concerned at the high incidence and increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst adults and children, the resulting number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and the lack of alternative care for these children. That Committee recommended that the Government:

n  increase its efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS;

n  urgently consider ways of minimizing the impact upon children of HIV/AIDS-related deaths of parents, teachers and others, in terms of children’s reduced access to a family life, to adoption, to emotional care and education;

n  involve children in formulating and implementing preventive policies and programmes; and

n  seek further technical assistance from, inter alia, UNAIDS. The Committee also notes that, according to the information contained in the epidemiological fact sheet for 2004, produced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 240,000 children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. The Committee observes that HIV/AIDS has consequences for these orphans who are at a greater risk of becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee recommends that the Government make every effort to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS by preventing its transmission among the population and to supply information on the specific measures taken within a prescribed period to protect children orphaned by HIV/AIDS from becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour.

2. Street children. The Committee notes that, in its concluding observations of November 2001 on the initial report of Cameroon (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraphs 62 to 65), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed its concerns at the increasing number of street children and at the lack of specific mechanisms to address this situation and to provide those children with adequate assistance.

The Committee considers that street children are at special risk from the worst forms of child labour. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography, especially among those living or working in the street. Concern was also expressed at the insufficient programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of children victims of such abuse and exploitation. The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that the Government implement appropriate policies and programmes for prevention and for the rehabilitation and recovery of child victims according to the Declaration and Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm, in 1996. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken within a prescribed period in order to protect children living or working in the street from the worst forms of child labour, in particular with regard to child victims of sexual exploitation for commercial purposes. It also requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in order to ensure the rehabilitation and social reintegration of the children affected.

Article 8. Enhanced international cooperation and assistance. The Committee notes that Cameroon is a member of Interpol, an organization which facilitates cooperation between countries in different regions, above all in the fight against trafficking in children. It also notes that, according to information provided by the World Bank, the Government has implemented a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Noting that poverty reduction strategies contribute to breaking the cycle 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 the PRSP has on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, with regard, in particular, to the prevention of the sale and trafficking of children and the rehabilitation of child victims of such activities.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that there do not appear to be any statistics available with regard to the number of child victims of the worst forms of child labour in Cameroon. It thus hopes that the Government will be in a position to provide in its next report statistics and information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, the information provided should be disaggregated by sex.