Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Oman (Ratification: 2001)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It requests the Government to supply further information on the following points.

Article 3, clause (d), and Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted the Government’s information that Omani law provides that juveniles under the age of 18 may not be employed in mines and quarries or in hazardous work. Moreover, an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee had been established between government ministries and private sector establishments, and was in charge, amongst others, of determining activities that were hazardous or physically demanding. The Committee had requested the Government to provide information on a provisional list of 43 hazardous occupations, types of work and industries prohibited for juveniles under the age of 18 years, which had been determined by the OSH Committee. Noting the absence of information on this point, the Committee once again requests the Government to keep it informed on the adoption of the list of hazardous occupations prohibited to children under 18 years of age and to supply a copy of this list as soon as it has been adopted.

Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. The Committee had previously noted the Government’s information that childcare institutions in the Sultanate draw up the plans and programmes to provide the required support for the children. They also care for the child and provide for its rehabilitation if required. The Committee had requested the Government to indicate whether these institutions are in charge of rehabilitating child victims of trafficking and prostitution. If so, it had requested the Government to specify the number of children withdrawn from trafficking and from prostitution, respectively. Noting that the Government’s report contains no information in this regard, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide this information in its next report.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee had previously noted the Government’s information that the rate of children below the age of 18 is 49.12 per cent of the total Omani population. It had noted the Government’s statement that child labour does not exist in the Sultanate, due to the strict nature of the law in force. Social cohesion, the strictures of the Islamic faith and Omani family traditions also prevent child labour. Moreover, the phenomenon of the sale of children does not exist in Oman. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the most recent statistics indicate that child labour has diminished compared with the period 1999–2001. Particularly, the phenomenon of child labour has decreased due to improved economic and living conditions (per capita income increased during 2002–05 at an annual rate of 14.9 per cent). In fact, the improvement in the economic conditions is considered as one of the most important factors in the reduction of child labour in the Sultanate. Moreover, statistical information indicates that a rising percentage of persons are enrolled in basic and public education, which is provided free of charge in governmental schools.