Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

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

Article 5 of the Convention. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Labour inspection and police units. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to take the necessary steps to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspectorate and police units, particularly by increasing staff numbers and ensuring the implementation of regular inspections.

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s statement that 20 labour inspectors and 25 labour controllers were recruited and deployed in 2012 and 2013. They receive regular training with regard to the tools available for combating child labour. Moreover, 1,000 police officers and police units were recruited and received training in child protection before being deployed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the work of the labour inspectorate, police and police units, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour, including extracts from reports or documents indicating the scope and nature of violations reported involving young persons engaged in the worst forms of child labour.

2. Child labour monitoring system. The Committee notes that the implementation of the ILO–IPEC project on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in West Africa (ECOWAS II) has resulted in a child labour monitoring system being made operational in five departments. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the impact of the measures adopted under the child labour monitoring system with a view to eliminating the worst forms of child labour, including in terms of the number of children effectively protected against these forms of labour.

Article 6. Programmes of action. National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Benin 2012–15 (NPA). The Committee notes that the NPA in Benin runs until 2015. The NPA, whose goal is to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2015, comprises six strategic components: harmonization of the legislative framework in relation to the worst forms of child labour; increased mobilization in relation to combating the worst forms of child labour; improved access to education and training for children who are victims of, or at risk of, the worst forms of child labour; strengthening the capacity for intervention of child protection bodies; reducing the vulnerability of families and children in relation to the worst forms of child labour; and strengthening institutional machinery in favour of child victims of abuse and exploitation. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the implementation of the NPA and its impact as regards the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

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 providing assistance for the removal of children from these forms of labour. Sale and trafficking of children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government to the effect that, in 2011, action by the Central Child Protection Office resulted in the detection and repatriation to their country of origin of 172 child victims of trafficking; in 2012 and 2013, respective totals of 147 and 153 children were detected and repatriated. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of children removed from trafficking and rehabilitated as a result of the action of the Central Child Protection Office.

Clause (d). Identification of children at special risk. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government had adopted a National Plan of Action (2006–19) to take care of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and that the Ministry of Family Affairs had set up a programme to provide psychological and social care for such children.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the Ministry of Family Affairs implemented many actions for OVCs through its Cellule coeur d’espoir (child support unit). The “vulnerability assessment chart” for children in Benin was updated in 2012 with the aim of reaching the maximum number of OVCs; in 2013, a guide for evaluating the cost of care for OVCs was drawn up; and a new list of OVCs for 2011–13 was validated (the total number of OVCs at national level was 31,520, with 17,002 boys and 14,518 girls). The Government also indicates that a total of 23,903 OVCs, of whom 12,415 were girls, had received nutritional support as at 30 June 2014.

However, the Committee observes that, according to UNAIDS estimates for 2013, some 40,000 children have been orphaned as a result of AIDS in Benin. Recalling that HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children are at greater risk of becoming involved in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure their protection against these forms of labour. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on effective and time-bound measures taken, including through implementation of the National Plan of Action (2006–19) and by the Cellule coeur d’espoir, and also on the results achieved in this respect.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. Regional cooperation in relation to the sale and trafficking of children. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indications that a bilateral agreement on combating the trafficking of children was signed with Congo in 2011. The Government indicates that discussions are under way with a view to signing such bilateral agreements with Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire. Benin has also initiated discussions. The Committee requests the Government to continue its international cooperation efforts to combat the trafficking of children under 18 years of age and requests it to provide information on the results achieved in this respect.