Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

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

Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Togo has been participating since October 2008 in an ILO–IPEC project to combat child labour through education. In the context of the ILO–IPEC–CECLET project, various workshops were organized with the participation of the social partners. The objectives of these workshops included the drawing up of a plan of action in the informal economy in urban areas, as well as a plan of action to combat child labour in hotels and catering and the sexual exploitation of children.

The Committee notes with interest that, in the context of the ILO–IPEC–CECLET project, 12,279 children have been the recipients of direct action and educational services. The Committee notes that, according to the information supplied by the Government in its report on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), a national plan of action against child labour is currently undergoing technical approval and the process of adoption is under way. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures adopted or envisaged in the context of the national plan of action against child labour and on the results achieved pursuant to the implementation of these measures with regard to the worst forms of child labour. It also requests the Government to send a copy of the national plan of action with its next report.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indications in its report that a large number of children in Togo do not have opportunities to attend school. The Committee also noted the adoption in March 2010 of a sectoral education plan (2010–20).

The Committee observes that the Government does not supply any information on this matter in its report. It notes, however, that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its concluding observations of 8 March 2012 (CRC/C/TGO/CO/3-4, paragraph 63), expressed concern at the fact that the portion of the state budget allocated to education remains insufficient for the effective implementation of the abolition of school fees. The CRC also expressed concern at the fact that one third of children have no access to primary education, with girls, children living in remote areas and children with disabilities being at particular risk of not attending school; that the repetition rate is very high and the completion rate of primary education remains very low, especially among girls; and that there are not enough schools and the teaching infrastructure and resources remain insufficient and unsuitable. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system through measures intended, inter alia, to increase the school attendance and completion rates and reduce school drop-out rates, particularly in rural areas.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child victims/orphans of HIV/AIDS. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that, in the context of the ILO–IPEC–CECLET project, a national awareness-raising campaign on schooling for children, especially girls, and on non-discrimination with regard to victims of HIV/AIDS has been implemented. Moreover, support for reintegration in school has been given to 300 children under 15 years of age, including 200 children rendered vulnerable as a result of HIV/AIDS and 100 girls not attending school in the five districts of Lomé. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee notes with concern that, according to UNAIDS estimates, the number of HIV/AIDS orphans increased to 89,000 in 2011. The Committee therefore urges the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure that HIV/AIDS orphans receive such protection as to prevent their engagement in the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken and the results achieved in this regard.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. 1. Regional cooperation relating to the sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that several multilateral agreements have been concluded by Togo with neighbouring countries (Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including Benin and Ghana) in the context of measures to combat the trafficking of children.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that discussions are still under way with Nigeria with a view to the signing of a bilateral agreement to combat the trafficking of children. The Committee again strongly encourages the Government to continue its efforts and take measures to cooperate with countries that are signatories to the multilateral cooperation agreements referred to above, thereby strengthening security measures at borders with a view to detecting and intercepting child victims of trafficking and apprehending and arresting persons involved in networks engaged in the trafficking of children. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved in this regard. It also requests the Government to take measures to ensure progress in the discussions for the adoption of a bilateral agreement with Nigeria and to send information on the progress made in this regard.

2. Poverty reduction. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a survey carried out in 2006 in the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) revealed that over 60 per cent of the population of Togo was living under the poverty line, with a particularly high rate in rural areas. It also noted that, following the considerable increase in prices in 2008, poverty had probably increased further.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that it is increasing the initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of at-risk groups, especially by implementing social security projects with assistance from the World Bank: the community development project, providing school meals to some 38,000 children in primary schools in the most vulnerable areas of the country and creating jobs in public works for 25,000 rural youngsters; and the pilot project for the transfer of funds to 11,490 children between 0 and 24 months and pregnant women in the Savanes and Kara regions. Considering that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the circle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to continue its efforts to reduce the incidence of poverty and requests it to provide information on any significant impact of the implementation of the abovementioned social projects on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.