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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Jordan (Ratification: 2000)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that section 3(a) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2009, prohibits leading, transferring, sheltering or receiving any person under the age of 18 years of age for their exploitation, even if that exploitation is not accompanied by the threat of force, or its use, deception, misuse of power or the exploitation of a state of weakness. Section 3(b) specifies that exploitation includes prostitution or any form of sexual exploitation.

The Committee notes from the Report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, of 8 June 2016, that Jordan is a destination country for trafficking of women, girls and boys for sexual exploitation (A/HRC/32/41/Add.1, paragraph 16). Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 3 of the Human Trafficking Act with regard to trafficking of children for sexual exploitation.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Prevent the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s information that the net enrolment rate for the school year 2013–14 in primary education was 98 per cent, while in secondary education the enrolment rate was 74 per cent. The Committee encouraged the Government to pursue its efforts to facilitate access to education and the return to school of children who had dropped out, including through informal education.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Education is implementing a Catch-up Educational Programme for children who are aged between 9 and 12 years and who have dropped out or have not enrolled in school. This programme enables the children to acquire basic educational skills and knowledge and to continue their subsequent education in formal or informal education. Moreover, a Culture Promotion Programme for school drop-outs is being implemented for children aged between 13 and 18 years which will prepare and rehabilitate children who have dropped out of school and enable them to register for vocational training courses or to continue informal education. The Committee finally notes that according to the findings of the National Child Labour Survey Report of 2017, 95 per cent of Jordanian children aged 5–17 years are attending school.

Clause (b). Removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration. Child victims of trafficking. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that a permanent shelter for the victims of trafficking in persons (Dar Karama) was opened in September 2016 with the support of USAID. The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), through its Unit on the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking and Dar Karama provides legal and social support, medical assistance, training programmes and psychological rehabilitation for victims of trafficking. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that in 2016, Dar Karama received 34 victims of trafficking. The Committee further notes the Government’s information that specialized training courses were provided for 95 officials working in Dar Karama and at the MoSD, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration as well as the Tamkeen Centre for support and legal assistance, on handling victims of trafficking. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to take effective and time-bound measures for the prevention, removal and rehabilitation of child victims of trafficking. It requests the Government to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking who have been received and rehabilitated in Dar Karama.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its concluding observations of July 2014, expressed concern that there was no clear strategy in place to rehabilitate and respond to the needs of street children (CRC/C/JOR/CO/4-5, paragraph 59). It also noted from the ILO report of the rapid assessment on child labour in the urban informal sector, in three governorates of Jordan, 2014, that most of the children surveyed in the three governorates were mainly found to be working on the street selling food and drinks.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that the exact number of street children in the country is not known. However, the average number of street children who were identified through the inspection visits carried out by the MoSD and anti-begging committees was 1,738 in 2015. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the MoSD, with financial and technical assistance from UNICEF, is developing a strategic framework for the protection of street children as well as to effectively address their needs. This strategy envisages to include a legal framework, prevention, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration measures for street children. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the strategic framework for children in street situations will be adopted and implemented without delay. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.