Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 2001)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2021, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

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 the necessary direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Trafficking in children. The Committee notes the Government’s information that a National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons has been established at the ministerial level chaired by the Prime Minister. The Government further states that an Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) has been established to educate the general public and to investigate possible cases of human trafficking. The ATIPU has since developed a sensitization programme aimed at educating the general public, in particular children, on the issue of prevention of trafficking in persons through radio programmes, newspaper articles and presentations at schools. The Committee finally notes the Governments’ information that a crisis centre has been established for providing appropriate accommodation and assistance to victims of trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking under the age of 18 years who have been rehabilitated in the crisis centre. It also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken by the national task force and the ATIPU in terms of the number of children who were prevented or withdrawn from trafficking and then rehabilitated.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Street children. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that as a result of the expanded national education system, the incidence of street children has been significantly reduced. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that a home for boys, namely the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre, houses boys who are reportedly ill disciplined. Recalling that children who live and work on the street are particularly at risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to protect this vulnerable group, and to provide information in this regard.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on this point. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sufficient data on the situation of children involved in the worst forms of child labour are made available. It requests the Government to provide information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and the penal sanctions applied. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by age and sex.