Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Lebanon (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 2023, 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 5 of the Convention. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Labour inspection. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour (MoL) is expected to take measures to enhance the role of the national monitoring bodies with regard to child labour. It requested the Government to provide information in this regard.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the MoL has continued to hold meetings on the issue of child labour that resulted in the adoption of a certain number of measures, including: (i) the preparation of a quantitative survey on the worst forms of child labour; and (ii) the preparation of a guidebook on Decree No. 8987 on the worst forms of child labour. Referring to its comments made in relation to the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Committee notes that labour inspector staff are undergoing continuous training, including courses on child labour.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to strengthen the role of the law enforcement bodies in terms of monitoring, detecting and combating the worst forms of child labour.

2. National Committee to Combat Child Labour (NCCL). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that small committees were set up, outside of the NCCL, such as a small committee responsible for the issues concerning working children on the streets, and a small committee responsible for children working in agriculture.The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the activities carried out by the NCCL as well as the above-mentioned small committees in terms of improving the monitoring of children working on the streets and in the agricultural sector.

Article 6. National plan of action on the elimination of child labour (NAP–WFCL). In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the NAP–WFCL and to report on its implementation.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is committed to implementing the NAP–WFCL with relevant stakeholders and officials through the elaboration and adoption of projects related to child labour. The Government refers in this regard to the ILO–DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency) project to combat rising child labour among Syrian refugees.The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to implement the NAP–WFCL and the results achieved in terms of combating the worst forms of child labour.

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. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a National Education Strategy (NES) was developed and completed in 2010. It noted that the NES focuses on five main priority objectives, including making education available on the basis of equal opportunity, and providing quality education that contributes to building a knowledge society. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of the NES.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the comments of the Committee have been forwarded to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, but that no reply has been received. The Committee also notes that according to the 2014 UNESCO Regional report on out-of-school Children, the dropout rate has risen for the last grade of primary education from 3.7 per cent in 2000 to 6.7 per cent in 2011. There is also a high level of dropouts at the level of lower secondary education (17 per cent), in comparison to the last grade of primary school (7 per cent). According to the report, economic constraints (transport and tuition fees) and insecurity contribute to the exclusion of many children from education. In light of the above, the Committee, recalls the importance of education as a major factor that contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour.The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure access to free basic education to all children, placing emphasis on increasing the school enrolment rates and decreasing the drop-out rates at the secondary level. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the NES, and updated statistical information on the results obtained, to the extent possible disaggregated by age and gender.

Clause (e). Special situation of girls. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, within the framework of the NAP–WFCL and following the recommendations of the ILO–IPEC study “Domestic Child Labour in North Lebanon”, special attention would be afforded to girls. The Committee requested further information in this regard.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is keen to formulate a special programme for girls to prevent them from engaging in the worst forms of child labour.The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether within the framework of the NAP–WFCL, specific measures have been adopted for girls, particularly for girl domestic workers, to ensure that they do not fall into the worst forms of child labour. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any special programme for girls that has been recently adopted in this regard.

Application of the Convention in practice. Survey of working children in Lebanon. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a quantitative survey on the worst forms of child labour is being prepared by the Central Statistics Department, that and that upon completion a copy will be communicated to the Committee.The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard and to provide a copy of the survey, once available.