Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

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

Article 5 of the Convention. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. Labour inspection and police units. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to take the necessary steps to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspectorate and police units, particularly by increasing staff numbers and ensuring the implementation of regular inspections.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the labour inspection services are constantly monitoring working conditions on the ground, and any children who are found in critical work situations are entrusted to the Central Office for the Protection of Children and Families and the Punishment of Trafficking in Persons (OCPM). The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the work of the labour inspectorate and police units, particularly measures taken to combat the worst forms of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide, for example, extracts from reports or documents indicating the scope and nature of violations reported involving children and young persons engaged in the worst forms of child labour.

2. Child labour monitoring system. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the implementation of the ILO–IPEC project on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in West Africa (ECOWAS II, December 2010–April 2014) resulted in a child labour monitoring system being made operational in five departments.

The Committee notes that the Government confirms that the child labour monitoring system has indeed been installed in five departments but that it is not yet operational. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide concrete information on the impact of the measures adopted under the child labour monitoring system with a view to eliminating the worst forms of child labour, including the number of children effectively protected against these forms of labour.

Article 6. Programmes of action. National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Benin. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the 2012–15 National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Benin (PAN) and asked the Government to supply information on the implementation of the PAN and its impact as regards the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the implementation of the PAN came to an end in December 2015. National consultants are evaluating the PAN to measure its impact in terms of eliminating the worst forms of child labour. Data collection is currently under way with a view to completing the evaluation process. The evaluation will enable the adoption of a new PAN for 2018–22. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the evaluation of the measures taken in the context of the PAN for 2012–15 to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on progress made regarding the adoption of the new PAN for 2018–22 and to indicate its objectives for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

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 assistance for the removal of children from these forms of labour. Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the statistics sent by the OCPM on children removed from trafficking and repatriated, and asked the Government to continue to provide information on this matter.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that in July 2017 a campaign entitled “Zero children working in the markets and streets of major cities in Benin” was conducted, resulting in a total of 626 children being found in work situations. As a result of this campaign, 77 children were removed from the worst forms of child labour. The second phase of the operation was due in November 2017. The 2017 UNICEF report on Benin states that 511 girls were among the children identified and seven children between 6 and 12 years of age were removed from the worst forms of child labour. The report emphasizes that the campaign involved awareness-raising activities for market consumers, labour inspectors and the parents and guardians of children with regard to the worst forms of child labour in markets in Benin. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing statistics on the number of children prevented and rescued from trafficking and to indicate the rehabilitation and social integration measures from which they have benefited.

Clause (d). Identification of children at special risk. HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government had adopted a National Plan of Action (2006–19) to take care of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and that the Ministry of Family Affairs had undertaken many activities for OVCs through its “Cellule coeur d’espoir” (child support unit) programme. The Committee asked the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Plan of Action for the care of OVCs.

The Committee notes that there is no information on this matter in the Government’s report. It notes the follow-up report to the 2016 policy statement on HIV/AIDS in Benin, which provides detailed information on the situation of OVCs and the measures taken by the Government for their integration. The Committee observes that, according to projections relating to the indicators for children in the 0–14 age group, the number of children living with HIV is estimated at 3,932 in 2018 compared with 3,211 in 2020. The number of OVCs is estimated at 457,092 in 2018 compared with 460,467 in 2020. Recalling that OVCs are at greater risk of becoming involved in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and immediate measures to protect this category of vulnerable children from the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to indicate the results achieved through the implementation of the National Plan of Action (2006–19) and the “Cellule coeur d’espoir” programme.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes the Government’s reference, as regards international cooperation, to the signing of bilateral agreements with Nigeria and Gabon and also international agreements with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). These agreements relate to action against the trafficking of children. The Committee encourages the Government to strengthen international cooperation with neighbouring countries to prevent the trafficking of children under 18 years of age and requests it to provide information on the results achieved in this respect.