Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

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

Article 5 of the Convention. Monitoring mechanisms. Labour inspection and application of the Convention in practice. As regards labour inspection and the application of the Convention in practice, the Committee refers to its detailed comments under the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138).

Article 6. Programmes of action. Commercial sexual exploitation. In its previous comments, the Committee noted with interest the implementation of the “National Plan for the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons”, which aimed to address four issues: (i) the prostitution of children and young persons; (ii) trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation; (iii) child pornography; and (iv) sex tourism. The Committee also noted that an agreement had been signed between the Uruguayan Institute of Children and Young Persons (INAU) and the courts specializing in the prosecution of organized crime with a view to facilitating the processing of complaints related to commercial sexual exploitation.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that a new “National Plan for the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons (2016–21)” has been drawn up. It notes that the new plan comprises six strategic components: (i) the promotion of rights and prevention; (ii) protection; (iii) provision of care; (iv) acquisition and systematic recording of knowledge; (v) strengthening of institutions and communication; and (vi) supervision and evaluation. While noting the Government’s efforts to combat the sexual exploitation of children, the Committee observes that the Government does not supply data on the results achieved under the first National Plan referred to above. The Committee recalls the importance of evaluating the mechanisms implemented in order to assess their relevance and effectiveness. The Committee encourages the Government once again to continue its efforts and requests it to supply detailed information, including statistics, on the results achieved through the implementation of the new “National Plan for the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons (2016–21)”.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. The Committee previously noted that the first “National Plan for the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons” provided for the development of cooperation with other countries engaged in combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons and for the implementation of action to step up migration controls at borders.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that two international cooperation projects are being prepared with Colombia and Costa Rica. The goal of these projects will be to exchange knowledge and experiences among specialist bodies, such as INAU, with a view to developing more effective practices for combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young persons. The Committee encourages the Government to continue its international cooperation efforts to combat the worst forms of child labour and requests it to supply information on the progress made and the results achieved through the various international cooperation projects once they have been adopted.