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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Suriname (Ratification: 2006)

Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee recalls its previous comment which noted the significant geographical, gender and socio-economic disparities with regard to the achievement of universal primary education in the country.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, since October 2012, it has waived the enrolment fees for basic education for primary and secondary education for, in particular, children belonging to indigenous and minority groups. The Committee also notes the Government’s information to the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, pursuant to the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/18/12, paragraph 23) concerning a pilot 11-year basic education system to improve access to education, as well as its acceptance of the recommendations of the Working Group (paragraphs 72.24–72.30) to continue to improve equal access to universal education for boys and girls through legislative and policy measures.

The Committee notes, however, the results of the Final Report of the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for Suriname (January 2013), according to which the comparative primary school attendance rate for the poorest households was the lowest among the sectors and only 79 per cent of all children who completed primary school advanced to attend secondary school. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to strengthen its efforts to continue to improve access to primary and secondary education, with particular attention given to ensuring equal access among geographical, gender and socio-economic groups. The Committee also requests the Government to provide updated information concerning the impact of those measures, including the results of its pilot 11 year basic education system.

Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Suriname is a destination, source and transit country for child victims of trafficking and working as commercial sex workers. The Committee accordingly requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that child victims of trafficking and prostitution have access to appropriate services for their rehabilitation and social integration.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has no available information on specific services for child victims of human trafficking and prostitution although there are general services provided by the Ministry of Justice and Police to provide assistance to crime victims. The Committee also notes the information provided in the combined third and fourth report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the Republic of Suriname, 2007–12 (page 60), noting the absence of victim identification and assistance mechanisms for child victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee expresses its concern regarding the absence of support for child victims of trafficking and prostitution and urges the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure that appropriate services are available for the child victims, including their rehabilitation and social integration. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on effective and time-bound measures taken in this regard.

Application in practice. The Committee recalls its previous comments which had noted the Government’s indication that an analysis of existing data on child labour would be undertaken in 2012. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s latest indication that, owing to a lack of available information, it was decided instead to undertake an evaluation of the studies on child labour over the past ten years. The Government further identifies the lack of statistics as one of the practical difficulties in implementing the provisions of the Convention. Recalling the importance of assessing national policies and measures based on current trends and practices in the country, the Committee requests the Government to renew its efforts to gather recent information on the application of the Convention in current practice, including extracts from inspection reports, studies and inquiries and statistical data on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee invites the Government to consider technical assistance from the ILO in this regard.