Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

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

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.