Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

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

Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action. 1. Action Plan for Combating Trafficking of children. The Committee previously noted the Government’s information that, a national strategy for the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration and combating child trafficking was prepared for 2013–16, as well as a national action plan (NAP) for the same period. The Committee noted, however, that in its concluding observations, the CRC expressed its concern that plans and programmes on human trafficking were poorly coordinated.

The Committee notes from the Government’s report that, the preparation of evaluation of the NAP and the National Strategy to combat human trafficking and illegal migration is ongoing. The independent evaluator will provide an assessment of the impact of measures and actions undertaken, as well as recommendations for the preparation of new ones. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the assessment of the impact of measures taken within the framework of the NAP and the national strategy for the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration on combating child trafficking once it is available. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the progress made regarding the preparation of a new NAP and the national strategy.

2. National Action Plan for the Rights of Children. The Committee previously noted the adoption of the National Action Plan for the Rights of Children 2006–15 in March 2006, and that this Plan included strategies to address the worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted, however, that the CRC expressed concern at the slow pace of implementation of this National Plan of Action and that no specific funds had been earmarked for this purpose.

The Committee notes that the Government has adopted a new National Action Plan for the Rights of Children for 2012–15 in cooperation with UNICEF, which replaced the previous one. The revised Action Plan provides for progressive action in facilitating the provision of services such as free health care and free education, as well as for strategies focusing on equity, inclusion and efficiency. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Plan for the Rights of Children 2012–15, as well as the results achieved, particularly with respect to the prevention and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identify and reach out to children at special risk. Roma children. The Committee previously noted the Government’s information that the MLSP coordinated for the Project of Inclusion of Roma Children in the public municipal institutions, kindergartens and preschool education. In this regard, the Government indicated that, in 2012–13, 425 Roma children were registered in kindergartens with state funding. Moreover, in the framework of the Roma student scholarship programmes, in 2011–12, there were 591 high-school scholarship recipients, of which only five had dropped out of school. In 2012–13, 593 students participated in the scholarship and tutoring programmes. However, the Committee also noted that, in its concluding observations of 22 March 2013, the Committee on the Elimination and Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), expressed its concern at the drop-out rates of Roma girls and noted the low number of Roma girls in higher education as well as the lack of measures taken to ensure their access to education. The CEDAW was further concerned that there was a disproportionately high number of Roma children, including girls, in schools for children with special needs (CEDAW/C/MKD/CO/4-5, paragraph 29). 

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that, the number of Roma students enrolled in primary school amounted to 9,615 children in the school year 2013–14 and 9,506 in 2014–15, but decreased to 8,737 children in 2015–16 due to the restructuration of primary education. Moreover, in 2013–14, among 700 Roma students who completed primary school, 79 per cent continued their secondary education, while in 2014/15, 631 Roma students completed primary school, of which 83.04 per cent continued their secondary education. The Committee also notes that, the Ministry of Education and Science through the Community Education Administration allocated an average of 600 scholarships for Roma students in secondary education, and has provided additional support through mentoring and tutoring over the past seven years. In higher education, the first 32 scholarships were awarded to Roma students in 2015–16, with a preference for those studying at faculties that train teaching staff. However, the Committee further notes that, in 2013–14, among 125 scholarship recipients who completed secondary education, 78 continued higher education; while in 2014–15, 99 scholarship recipients completed secondary education, of which only 36 continued higher education. Taking due note of the measures taken by the Government, the Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts with regard to facilitating access to education for Roma students, particularly girls. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the results achieved, particularly with regard to increasing school enrolment rates and reducing school drop-out rates. To the extent possible, this information should be disaggregated by age and gender.