Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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

Zimbabwe (ratification: 2000)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

Articles 3 and 5 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour and monitoring mechanisms. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children.  The Committee previously noted that according to section 3(2)(3) of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2014, the offence of trafficking of children under the age of 18 years falls under aggravating circumstances which is punishable with imprisonment for life or for any definite period of not less than ten years. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the application in practice of this provision.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that it has stepped up its efforts to combat trafficking in persons, including securing convictions and penalties for the perpetrators of this offence. However, the Government indicates that there are delays in the finalization of cases related to trafficking in persons due to the unavailability of witnesses or their unwillingness to testify before the courts. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that in 2017 the Anti-Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee (ATIMC) which coordinates actions to combat trafficking in persons, established five Provincial Anti-Trafficking Task Force Teams. The Government further indicates that training on dealing with cases related to trafficking in persons was provided to ten magistrates and 19 prosecutors across the country. In addition, data collection workshops for frontline responders to trafficking in persons, such as labour inspectors, social workers and members from civil society organisations were conducted. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities carried out by the Provincial Anti-Trafficking Task Force Teams in identifying and preventing trafficking of children. It also requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the effective application of section 3(2)(3) of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2014, and to provide information on the number of offences detected related to the trafficking of children under the age of 18 years and the prosecutions, convictions and penalties applied.

Articles 6 and 7(2)(b). Programmes of action and direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and providing for their rehabilitation and social integration. Trafficking of children.  The Committee notes the Government’s information in its supplementary report that a five-day capacity building Training of Trainers workshop on victim protection and coordination for Government officials and civil society to enhance their efforts to coordinate anti-trafficking responses was conducted in August 2019 in Darwendale and, Mashonland West Province. Moreover, exhibitions to raise awareness on anti-trafficking were carried out at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and Harare Agricultural show and materials with anti-trafficking messages were distributed to the public. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that in the two cases reported by Zimbabwe related to trafficking of children to Zambia in 2019, the child victims were placed in safety homes and provided with psycho-social support and basic social services.

The Committee further notes the Government’s information that the ATIMC developed an updated Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action (NAPLAC) 2019-2021. It notes from the NAPLAC document that this second NAPLAC which is anchored on the four pillars of prevention, prosecution, protection and partnership is framed in line with the international best practices in the response to trafficking of persons. The Committee also notes from this document that one of the guiding principles of the NAPLAC relates to affording special protection and assistance to child victims of trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken to combat the sale and trafficking of children under the age of 18 years within the framework of the 2019-2021 NAPLAP. It also requests the Government to provide information on its implementation as well as on the results achieved in terms of the number of children removed from trafficking and provided assistance.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identify and reach out to children at special risk. Street children.  In its previous comments, the Committee noted the various initiatives carried out to protect street children, including the Street Children Fund (SCF), the National Case Management System, and the Family Clubs which oversaw the welfare of children, helped in preventing them from being involved in exploitative activities on the streets as well as supported the reintegration of street children. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the number of children assisted through these initiatives.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that from 2018 to date, a total number of 1035 street children were assisted through the SCF. The Government also indicates that in 2019, an amount of $50,000 (US$138.160) was allocated to the SCF. The Committee further notes the Government’s information that the Family clubs was revived and expanded countrywide with the aim of promoting good parenting skills to families including those headed by grandparents and child-headed households in order to keep children within the family environment. For children without any family, foster care, adoption and institutionalisation are considered so that children do not end up being exposed to the worst forms of child labour. Furthermore, assistance and rehabilitation procedures for street children are coordinated by the National Inter-Ministerial Taskforce and Multi-Sectoral Taskforces at the provincial and district levels. The Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to protect street children under 18 years of age from the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of children assisted through the SCF as well as the impact of the National Case Management System and Family clubs in protecting street children.

Application of the Convention in practice.  The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the findings of the UNICEF 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey according to which 27.9 per cent of children aged 5-17 years are involved in child labour. This findings show that one in three boys and one in five girls are involved in child labour with high prevalence in Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children protected by measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of offences reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. As far as possible, the information supplied should be disaggregated by age and gender.