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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 2005)

Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the Ministry of Participation and Social Protection, in conjunction with the National Committee on the Rights of Children and Young Persons (IDENA), launched the “Neighbourhood children’s mission”, a programme aimed at guaranteeing the rights of children and young persons, especially those in situations of extreme poverty. It noted the “Protecting the dignity of working children and young persons” (PRODINAT) programme, launched in 2008, which sought to ensure young workers’ labour rights, progressively abolish child labour and protect young persons at work. In 2009, PRODINAT took the form of five projects launched in five states, benefiting a total of 427 young workers. The Committee also noted that IDENA provided assistance for a total of 42,446 children and young persons in 2009–10.

The Committee duly notes the information from the Government to the effect that the “Neighbourhood children’s mission” and PRODINAT are continuing to give assistance to children at risk, particularly those working in the informal sector or engaged in hazardous work, providing them with educational support and possibilities of decent work. It also notes that a new programme entitled “Grand mission for the children of Venezuela” has been launched with the particular aim of providing economic support for vulnerable families. The programme had provided assistance for a total of 680,000 children and young persons by July 2013.

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 measures taken by the Government to guarantee access to education for indigenous children and to encourage pluri-lingual teaching. It noted that, according to the 2010 Education for All Global Monitoring Report published by UNESCO entitled “Reaching the marginalized”, the percentage of children who do not attend school decreased considerably in recent years and the country was close to achieving the goal of education for all, especially because of an improved transition rate from primary to secondary education (97 per cent in 2008). Moreover, statistics for 2009 reveal that the net secondary school enrolment rate has increased substantially since 2002, reaching 75 per cent for girls and 67 per cent for boys.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the school drop-out rate is barely 1 per cent of children at primary level and 5 per cent at secondary level. It also notes that, according to the 2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report published by UNESCO entitled “Youth and skills: Putting education to work”, the net primary school enrolment rate was 93 per cent in 2010, which signifies real progress compared with the situation in 1999 (85 per cent).

Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. Street children. In its previous comments the Committee noted that, according to the information contained in the Government’s second periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in December 2006 (CRC/C/VEN/2, paragraphs 187, 255 and 256, footnote 48), the issue of street children was one of the most serious problems in the country. It noted that the “Misión Negra Hipólita” was set up in 2006 to address the situation of vulnerable persons, such as street children. One of its objectives was to remove from the streets, rehabilitate and socially integrate street children and young persons involved in the worst forms of child labour, such as working in garbage dumps. The Committee further noted that various activities were undertaken in 2008 and 2009 in the context of the “Neighbourhood children’s mission” to address the situation of street children, provide care for them as part of protection programmes and ensure their reintegration into their families.

In its report the Government indicates that IDENA has launched a new family integration plan aimed at the reintegration of street children into a family setting (family of origin, host family or adoptive family). It notes that, according to the information provided in its report to the CRC with a view to the examination of the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at its 67th Session (CRC/C/VEN/3-5), this plan achieved the following results between 2008 and 2010: reintegration of 1,762 children into families, placement of 436 children in host families and adoption of 1,533 children (paragraph 169). The Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to protect street children from the worst forms of child labour and requests it to continue providing information on the number of children removed from the streets, rehabilitated and socially integrated in the context of the “Misión Negra Hipólita” and the family integration plan.

2. Indigenous and Afro-Venezuelan children. The Committee previously noted that the CRC, in its concluding observations of October 2007 (CRC/C/VEN/CO/2, paragraphs 78–81), expressed concern that, despite the efforts made by the Government, the situation had not improved sufficiently in the area of protection of indigenous peoples. It noted the measures taken by the Government to address the situation of indigenous peoples, including through improving their living conditions and promoting their economic and social development. It further noted that the “Programme for the comprehensive protection of children (HOGAIN)”, which addresses the needs of indigenous children, has benefited approximately 24,340 children belonging to various ethnic groups. Finally, in July 2009, IDENA organized the “Day for the comprehensive protection of children and young persons in the areas adjoining the border with Colombia in the municipality of Rómulo Gallegos in the state of Apure”, in order to assist eight indigenous communities in the region and carry out an assessment of their situation. As a result, a total of 950 indigenous persons (190 families, 268 boys, 343 girls and 87 adolescents) received medical and nutritional assistance.

The Committee notes once again that the Government’s report does not contain any new information on the measures taken and the results achieved in the context of the HOGAIN programme or on the programmes for children from Afro-Venezuelan communities. Observing that indigenous or Afro-Venezuelan children are often the victims of various forms of exploitation, and are at risk of becoming involved in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to protect these children from the worst forms of child labour. It again requests the Government, in its next report, to provide information on the results achieved in the context of the HOGAIN programme and to supply information on the measures taken to protect children from Afro-Venezuelan communities.

Article 8. International cooperation. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is participating in the “Niño Sur” initiative in the context of the Common Market of the Southern Cone (MERCOSUR). The initiative aims to raise awareness of commercial sexual exploitation, improve the country’s legal frameworks, and exchange best practices to tackle issues related to victim protection and assistance. It also noted that proposals for cooperation with the Governments of Brazil and Uruguay concerning the elimination of the sale, trafficking and sexual exploitation of children were being carried out and that IDENA had organized days for the protection of children and young persons living in border areas, in cooperation with Colombia. Observing that the Government’s report does not contain any new information on this matter, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to promote cooperation with neighbouring countries and reinforce border security measures in order to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. It also requests the Government to provide information in its next report on cases of child victims of trafficking who have been repatriated to their countries of origin.