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Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

Articles 3, 5 and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, monitoring mechanisms and penalties. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that it is preparing a comprehensive report on the achievements reached in combatting trafficking in persons. Noting that the Government does not reply to its previous comments specifically regarding the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age, the Committee once again requests the Government to: (i) take the necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (2005), in particular to ensure that perpetrators of trafficking of children are subject to thorough investigations and prosecutions; (ii) continue its efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in identifying and combating the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age; (iii) provide information on the measures taken in this regard as well as information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed; and (iv) provide data on the victims under 18 years of age identified, disaggregated by gender, age and nationality.
Article 6. Programmes of action.National Action Plan against Trafficking of Human Beings. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it has adopted the Second National Action Plan (NAP) on Trafficking in Persons 2019–24. The Government adds that it will conduct a report on the activities undertaken in the framework of the NAP, which will inform the determination of a baseline for the Third National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken, within the framework of the NAP on Trafficking in Persons 2019–24 to combat trafficking in children, and the results achieved. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the assessment of the NAP and to indicate how this evaluation will inform future action plans.
National Action Plan for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it has adopted the National Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2020–30. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the framework of the National Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and the results achieved.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child orphans of armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and Ebola. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it continues to have a free and compulsory primary education policy for all children, including child orphans. The Government explains that present budgetary constraints prevent the provision of vocational education in public schools in every political subdivision, but that there are public schools providing vocational training in Montserrado, Margibi and Lofa, which together had over 50 per cent of the child orphans due to Ebola. The Committee notes that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2022, there are around 31,000 children aged 0 to 17 years who are orphans due to HIV/AIDS. Recalling that orphans are at an increased risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the effective and time-bound measures taken or envisaged to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour, including by increasing their access to education and vocational training, and on the results achieved.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

Article 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption, on 15 June 2022, of the Hazardous Work List for Children in Liberia, adopted pursuant to section 21.4(b) of the Decent Work Act, 2015. This comprehensive list defines the sectors and tasks in which children under 18 years of age may not be engaged in, and the tasks in which children aged 16 and 17 years may engage in, provided safety measures are in place including adequate training and supervision. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Regulation setting the Hazardous Work List for Children, including the number and nature of violations regarding young persons engaged in hazardous work.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee notes with concern, from the 2022 Education Sector Analysis, published by the Government in collaboration with UNESCO, that both overall enrolment and the proportion of learners in public schools have decreased. The Education Sector Analysis highlights that net enrolment: (1) decreased at the primary level from 49 per cent in 2015 to 43 per cent in 2020; and (2) stayed the same for the lower secondary level, at 14 per cent. The Committee notes, from the 2021 United Nations Entity for Gender Equality’s (UN Women) Country Profile on Gender Equality, 2021, that: (1) the civil wars and consequent economic crises (specifically the Ebola crisis in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic) have led to the persistence of obstacles for girls and women’s access and participation in education; (2) in 2019, one-third of the population had no access to education, 31 per cent of the population attained primary education, and 36 per cent attained secondary and tertiary education, a gap which deepens in relation to geographic location (urban versus rural areas) and gender. In 2019–20, 52 per cent of children in urban areas and 32 per cent of children in rural areas were attending primary school. For secondary school, 34 per cent of children were attending in urban areas compared to 12 per cent in rural areas; (3) when working in rural areas, teachers endure challenging working conditions and limited support that is reflected in the lack of infrastructure and teaching materials, as well as disproportionate student-teacher ratios and multi-age and multi-level learners; and (4) the long distances required for children to attend schools in rural areas is a hindering factor that prevents them from accessing education.
The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has experimented with partnership schools as a way of improving school enrolment and attendance. The partnership schools have given attention to digitization and standardization, while raising external funds to help bolster teacher salaries in the schools they run. The Committee also notes, from the Government’s report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, that the Ministry of Education provided hot meals to 280,709 school children in 1,316 pre-primary, primary, and community schools across the 15 counties (A/HRC/WG.6/36/LBR/1, 24 August 2020, para. 58). The Committee also notes the 2022 Annual Reports of the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, from which it notes that: (1) the Government launched in October 2022 the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP) to help reduce poverty and inequalities by creating employment opportunities for persons helping to build or repair basic infrastructures such as schools and health centres. The ACDP will help reduce inequalities that exist between urban and rural areas by improving access to basic social and economic infrastructures such as health and education; (2) following the Transforming Education Summit (TES) and a follow-up conference on national education in December 2022, the Government expressed its commitment to increase the budget for education; and (3) a new Education Sector Plan (ESP 2022-2025) was developed. While noting certain measures taken by the Government, the Committee once again strongly encourages the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system and to facilitate access of all children to free basic education. It requests the Government to provide: (i) information on the concrete measures taken or envisaged in this regard, aimed, in particular at increasing the school enrolment and attendance rates at the primary and lower secondary levels, and reducing school drop-out rates; (ii) information on the impact of the new Education Sector Plan 2022-2025; and (iii) updated statistical information on the results obtained, disaggregated by age and gender.
Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes from the 2019-2020 Demographic and Health Survey of the Liberian Institute of Statistics and Geo-information Services, that 32 per cent of children aged 5 to 17 years were engaged in economic activities or domestic work, at or above the threshold defined for their age group. Among those, 30 per cent of children worked in dangerous conditions. The most frequently reported hazardous condition was carrying heavy loads (15 per cent), followed by working with dangerous tools or operating heavy machinery (7 per cent). The Survey indicates that the percentage of children engaged in hazardous work grows with the age of the child, from 21 per cent among those aged 5 to 11 years to 48 per cent among those aged 15 to 17 years. The Government indicates that, through partnerships, including with the United States Department of Labour ATLAS Project, the number of children engaged in child labour, including in hazardous work, is expected to decrease. Considering the large number of children under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work, the Committee once again urges the Government to intensify its efforts to protect children from these worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date statistics and other information on the nature, extent, and trends of the worst forms of child labour. Noting that the Government does not provide information in this regard, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information should be disaggregated by age and gender.
The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.
Repetition
Articles 3, 5 and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, monitoring mechanisms and penalties. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. In its earlier comments, the Committee noted that section 2 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) prohibits all forms of trafficking, and section 7(c) provides for a harsher penalty when the victim of this offence is under the age of 18 years. It also noted that a National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (Task Force) co-chaired by the Ministries of Labour and Justice and which is responsible for conducting investigations on cases of trafficking was established in 2014. The Committee noted that human trafficking was prevalent in Liberia, both within and across the borders for different purposes, including for labour exploitation.
The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report, that the Task Force has been reactivated as of June 2018 and has increased its efforts to investigate and prosecute cases of trafficking including complicit officials. In this regard, the Task Force validated a National Referral Pathway which is a programmatic guide to trace, register and provide assistance to victims of trafficking. The National Referral Pathway has been submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that major training programmes were conducted by the National Steering Committee to capacitate labour inspectors and commissioners, security personnel, prosecutors and judges in their fight against trafficking in persons. The Committee further notes that the 911 hotline, under the Secretariat of the Task Force, received 62 calls concerning trafficking in persons, of which four cases, involving Moroccan, Tunisian and Liberian nationals, were investigated and sent for trial. In addition, in three cases the perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted and penalties were handed down. However, the Committee notes that the Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), in its concluding observations of 27 August 2018, expressed its concern at the prevalence of trafficking, notably internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of economic and sexual exploitation; and the weak implementation of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (2005) combined with the very low rate of prosecution and conviction, as well as the lenient sanctions handed down against traffickers (CCPR/C/LBR/CO/1, paragraph 32).The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (2005), in particular to ensure that perpetrators of trafficking of children are subject to thorough investigations and prosecutions, and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. In this regard, it requests the Government to continue its efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in identifying and combating the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age. It further requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard as well as information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. Please provide data on the victims identified, disaggregated by gender, age and nationality.
Article 6. Programmes of action. 1. National Action Plan against Trafficking of Human Beings. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Task Force is currently reviewing the National Action Plan (NAP) against Trafficking in Human Beings, with support from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and USAID. The Government indicates that this plan encompasses a clearly defined set of programmes and strategies in dealing with issues related to trafficking of persons.The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the NAP against Trafficking of Human Beings will be adopted and implemented, without delay. It further requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard as well as the specific measures outlined within the NAP to combat trafficking of children.
2. National Action Plan for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the NAP for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour has been validated and is currently awaiting the approval of the Cabinet.The Committee expresses the firm hope that the NAP for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour will be adopted and implemented in the near future. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child orphans of armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and Ebola. The Committee previously noted that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2013 there were more than 40,000 orphans due to HIV/AIDS who were under the age of 17 years, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) estimates indicated that more than 3,000 children in Liberia had lost one or both parents to the Ebola virus. The Committee urged the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure the protection of child orphans from the worst forms of child labour.
The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is working with relevant partners to promote safe spaces for child orphans including the provision of free and compulsory primary education. The Committee notes, however, that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2017, there are around 37,000 children under the age of 17 years who are orphans due to AIDS.Considering that orphans are at an increased risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to continue to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour, in particular by increasing their access to education and vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard, and on the results achieved.
Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that according to the findings of the 2012 survey conducted by ILO and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-information Services, of the estimated population of 937,000 children of 6–17 years in Liberia, 175,000 children were found working. Out of this, about 43,000 children were deemed to be engaged in child labour of which 38,000 were found in hazardous work. More than 53 per cent of children were working in the agricultural sector, 28.8 per cent in the services sector and 14 per cent in the industrial sector.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on the measures taken to improve the situation of children involved in child labour and hazardous work. The Government states that the data on the worst forms of child labour is being collected and compiled by the Ministry of Labour through its Child Labour Division, with support from the National Steering Committee and local and international partners. It further indicates that efforts are being made to create public awareness on child labour, and training sessions on child labour are provided to labour inspectors and commissioners.Considering the large number of children under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work, the Committee once again urges the Government to intensify its efforts to protect children from these worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide up-to-date statistics and other information, including those collected and compiled by the Ministry of Labour, on the nature, extent, and trends of the worst forms of child labour and on the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information should be disaggregated by age and gender.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.
Repetition
Article 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed the firm hope that the Decent Work Bill, which contains a provision prohibiting the engagement of children under the age of 18 years in hazardous types of work would be adopted in the near future. It also expressed the hope that a regulation specifying hazardous types of work and processes prohibited to children under 18 years of age would be developed after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.
The Committee notes with interest that the Decent Work Act of 2015 has been enacted. It notes that Chapter 21, section 21.4(a) of the Decent Work Act prohibits the employment of children under the age of 18 years in those types of hazardous work enumerated under Paragraph 3 of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation, 1999 (No. 190). Section 21.4(b) further states that the minister shall, within 12 months from the coming into force of this Act, issue regulations specifying further types of work that may be prohibited to children and identify hazardous processes, temperatures, noise levels or vibrations that are dangerous to the health of children. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report, that the Law Reform Committee has prepared a draft list of types of hazardous work prohibited to children and that consultations with stakeholders on its finalization are ongoing.The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that the draft list of types of hazardous work prohibited to children under 18 years of age will be finalized and adopted without delay. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted from the compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/WG.6/22/LBR/2, 23 February 2015) that according to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the gender gap was apparent in education and that illiteracy rates among women and girls were especially high at 60 per cent. It further noted from this report the statement made by the United Nations Country Team in Liberia that, due to the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), schools had been ordered to be closed in June 2014 and an estimated 1.4 million students had been forced to stay home. The Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the proper functioning of the education system and to strengthen its efforts to bring back children to schools as well as to take measures to increase the enrolment and completion rates at primary and secondary levels and to provide information in this regard.
The Committee notes the Government’s statement that since the last recorded case of Ebola in 2015, proper precautionary measures were taken and that schools were reopened and children were encouraged to return to school. The Government indicates that better mechanisms to keep children at schools and out of child labour are being initiated. In this regard, the Committee notes the information from the publication entitled: Education in Liberia-Global Partnership for Education, that in order to address the challenges in the education sector related to the rebuilding and recovery from civil war, constrained national finances, poor infrastructure and the Ebola epidemic, the Government has developed a strategic response through “Getting to Best Education Sector Plan for 2017–21”. This plan consists of nine programmes including: (i) improving the efficiency and management of education system; (ii) improving access to quality early childhood education; (iii) providing quality alternative education for overage and out-of-school children; (iv) mainstreaming gender and school health across the education sector; and (v) improving the quality and relevance of vocational and technical training. The Committee notes, however, that according to the UNESCO statistics, in 2016, the net enrolment rate was 36.75 per cent in primary education and 10.37 per cent in secondary education. Moreover, there were 572,439 children and adolescents who were out-of-school in 2016. The Committee notes with concern the low enrolment rates at the primary and secondary levels and the high number of children who are out-of-school. Considering that education is key in preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system and to facilitate access of all children to free basic education, including through the“Getting to Best Education Sector Plan for 2017–21”. It requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken or envisaged in this regard, aimed, in particular at increasing the school enrolment and attendance rates at the primary and secondary levels and reducing school drop-out rates as well as to provide updated statistical information on the results obtained, disaggregated by age and gender.
The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.
The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

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

Articles 3, 5 and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, monitoring mechanisms and penalties. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. In its earlier comments, the Committee noted that section 2 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) prohibits all forms of trafficking, and section 7(c) provides for a harsher penalty when the victim of this offence is under the age of 18 years. It also noted that a National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (Task Force) co-chaired by the Ministries of Labour and Justice and which is responsible for conducting investigations on cases of trafficking was established in 2014. The Committee noted that human trafficking was prevalent in Liberia, both within and across the borders for different purposes, including for labour exploitation.
The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report, that the Task Force has been reactivated as of June 2018 and has increased its efforts to investigate and prosecute cases of trafficking including complicit officials. In this regard, the Task Force validated a National Referral Pathway which is a programmatic guide to trace, register and provide assistance to victims of trafficking. The National Referral Pathway has been submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that major training programmes were conducted by the National Steering Committee to capacitate labour inspectors and commissioners, security personnel, prosecutors and judges in their fight against trafficking in persons. The Committee further notes that the 911 hotline, under the Secretariat of the Task Force, received 62 calls concerning trafficking in persons, of which four cases, involving Moroccan, Tunisian and Liberian nationals, were investigated and sent for trial. In addition, in three cases the perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted and penalties were handed down. However, the Committee notes that the Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), in its concluding observations of 27 August 2018, expressed its concern at the prevalence of trafficking, notably internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of economic and sexual exploitation; and the weak implementation of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (2005) combined with the very low rate of prosecution and conviction, as well as the lenient sanctions handed down against traffickers (CCPR/C/LBR/CO/1, paragraph 32). The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (2005), in particular to ensure that perpetrators of trafficking of children are subject to thorough investigations and prosecutions, and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. In this regard, it requests the Government to continue its efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in identifying and combating the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age. It further requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard as well as information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. Please provide data on the victims identified, disaggregated by gender, age and nationality.
Article 6. Programmes of action. 1. National Action Plan against Trafficking of Human Beings. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Task Force is currently reviewing the National Action Plan (NAP) against Trafficking in Human Beings, with support from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and USAID. The Government indicates that this plan encompasses a clearly defined set of programmes and strategies in dealing with issues related to trafficking of persons. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the NAP against Trafficking of Human Beings will be adopted and implemented, without delay. It further requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard as well as the specific measures outlined within the NAP to combat trafficking of children.
2. National Action Plan for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the NAP for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour has been validated and is currently awaiting the approval of the Cabinet. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the NAP for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour will be adopted and implemented in the near future. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child orphans of armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and Ebola. The Committee previously noted that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2013 there were more than 40,000 orphans due to HIV/AIDS who were under the age of 17 years, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) estimates indicated that more than 3,000 children in Liberia had lost one or both parents to the Ebola virus. The Committee urged the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure the protection of child orphans from the worst forms of child labour.
The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is working with relevant partners to promote safe spaces for child orphans including the provision of free and compulsory primary education. The Committee notes, however, that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2017, there are around 37,000 children under the age of 17 years who are orphans due to AIDS. Considering that orphans are at an increased risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to continue to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour, in particular by increasing their access to education and vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard, and on the results achieved.
Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that according to the findings of the 2012 survey conducted by ILO and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-information Services, of the estimated population of 937,000 children of 6–17 years in Liberia, 175,000 children were found working. Out of this, about 43,000 children were deemed to be engaged in child labour of which 38,000 were found in hazardous work. More than 53 per cent of children were working in the agricultural sector, 28.8 per cent in the services sector and 14 per cent in the industrial sector.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on the measures taken to improve the situation of children involved in child labour and hazardous work. The Government states that the data on the worst forms of child labour is being collected and compiled by the Ministry of Labour through its Child Labour Division, with support from the National Steering Committee and local and international partners. It further indicates that efforts are being made to create public awareness on child labour, and training sessions on child labour are provided to labour inspectors and commissioners. Considering the large number of children under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work, the Committee once again urges the Government to intensify its efforts to protect children from these worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide up-to-date statistics and other information, including those collected and compiled by the Ministry of Labour, on the nature, extent, and trends of the worst forms of child labour and on the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information should be disaggregated by age and gender.

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

Article 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed the firm hope that the Decent Work Bill, which contains a provision prohibiting the engagement of children under the age of 18 years in hazardous types of work would be adopted in the near future. It also expressed the hope that a regulation specifying hazardous types of work and processes prohibited to children under 18 years of age would be developed after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.
The Committee notes with interest that the Decent Work Act of 2015 has been enacted. It notes that Chapter 21, section 21.4(a) of the Decent Work Act prohibits the employment of children under the age of 18 years in those types of hazardous work enumerated under Paragraph 3 of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation, 1999 (No. 190). Section 21.4(b) further states that the minister shall, within 12 months from the coming into force of this Act, issue regulations specifying further types of work that may be prohibited to children and identify hazardous processes, temperatures, noise levels or vibrations that are dangerous to the health of children. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report, that the Law Reform Committee has prepared a draft list of types of hazardous work prohibited to children and that consultations with stakeholders on its finalization are ongoing. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that the draft list of types of hazardous work prohibited to children under 18 years of age will be finalized and adopted without delay. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted from the compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/WG.6/22/LBR/2, 23 February 2015) that according to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the gender gap was apparent in education and that illiteracy rates among women and girls were especially high at 60 per cent. It further noted from this report the statement made by the United Nations Country Team in Liberia that, due to the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), schools had been ordered to be closed in June 2014 and an estimated 1.4 million students had been forced to stay home. The Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the proper functioning of the education system and to strengthen its efforts to bring back children to schools as well as to take measures to increase the enrolment and completion rates at primary and secondary levels and to provide information in this regard.
The Committee notes the Government’s statement that since the last recorded case of Ebola in 2015, proper precautionary measures were taken and that schools were reopened and children were encouraged to return to school. The Government indicates that better mechanisms to keep children at schools and out of child labour are being initiated. In this regard, the Committee notes the information from the publication entitled: Education in Liberia-Global Partnership for Education, that in order to address the challenges in the education sector related to the rebuilding and recovery from civil war, constrained national finances, poor infrastructure and the Ebola epidemic, the Government has developed a strategic response through “Getting to Best Education Sector Plan for 2017–21”. This plan consists of nine programmes including: (i) improving the efficiency and management of education system; (ii) improving access to quality early childhood education; (iii) providing quality alternative education for overage and out-of school children; (iv) mainstreaming gender and school health across the education sector; and (v) improving the quality and relevance of vocational and technical training. The Committee notes, however, that according to the UNESCO statistics, in 2016, the net enrolment rate was 36.75 per cent in primary education and 10.37 per cent in secondary education. Moreover, there were 572,439 children and adolescents who were out-of school in 2016. The Committee notes with concern the low enrolment rates at the primary and secondary levels and the high number of children who are out-of-school. Considering that education is key in preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system and to facilitate access of all children to free basic education, including through the “ Getting to Best Education Sector Plan for 2017–21”. It requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken or envisaged in this regard, aimed, in particular at increasing the school enrolment and attendance rates at the primary and secondary levels and reducing school drop-out rates as well as to provide updated statistical information on the results obtained, disaggregated by age and gender.
The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee previously noted that human trafficking is prevalent in Liberia, both within and across the borders for different purposes, including for labour exploitation. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure that thorough investigations and robust prosecutions of perpetrators of the sale and trafficking of children are carried out and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and criminal penalties imposed on the perpetrators of the sale and trafficking of children.
Article 4(1). Determination of hazardous work. The Committee notes that according to Part 6, section 102(b) of the Decent Work Bill, 2009, young persons under the age of 18 years are prohibited from working on those types of work enumerated under Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190. Section 102(c) further states that the minister shall, within 12 months from the coming into force of this Act, issue regulations specifying further types of work that may be prohibited to young persons and identify hazardous processes, temperatures, noise levels or vibrations that are dangerous to the health of children and young persons. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Decent Work Bill, 2009, which contains a provision prohibiting the engagement of children under the age of 18 years in those types of work enumerated under Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190, will be adopted in the near future. It also expresses the hope that a regulation specifying hazardous types of work and processes prohibited to children under 18 years of age will be developed, pursuant to section 102(c), after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.
Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. The Committee notes from the national report of 18 February 2015, submitted by Liberia to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/WG.6/22/LBR/1, paragraphs 16 and 51) (Report to the HRC), that a National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (Task Force) co-chaired by the Ministries of Labour and Justice was established in 2014. This report also indicates that the Task Force is responsible for conducting investigations on cases of trafficking and to provide information on these cases to the police and the courts. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Task Force in preventing and combating human trafficking and the results achieved. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of cases of trafficking of children investigated by the Task Force.
2. National Steering Committee. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that a National Steering Committee (NSC) was drawn from the ministries, agencies of government, social partners and non-governmental organizations with the mandate to: oversee, investigate and monitor all child labour issues; create the necessary awareness in the campaign against child labour; conduct capacity building workshops for Child Labour Monitoring Committees at workplaces; and to collaborate with local and international partners to rehabilitate skills development programmes for children who are victims of child labour or are vulnerable to child labour. The NSC is divided into subcommittees responsible for policy and legal framework; resource mobilization; monitoring and evaluation; and awareness and advocacy programmes. The Government report also indicates that a training workshop was organized for the members of the NSC in 2014 in collaboration with ILO–IPEC to enable them to understand their role in the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Furthermore, a capacity-building workshop on how to identify and report cases of child labour was conducted for labour commissioners and labour inspectors. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of cases of worst forms of child labour identified and reported by the labour inspectors and labour commissioners. It also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the activities of the NSC in preventing and eliminating the worst forms of child labour.
Article 6. Programmes of action. 1. National Action Plan against Trafficking of Human Beings. The Committee notes from the report to the HRC (paragraph 16 and 51) that a five-year National Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings was launched in 2014 (NAP 2014) as part of its “zero tolerance” stance against human trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken under the NAP 2014 to combat trafficking of children and the results achieved.
2. National Action Plan on child labour. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that it is in the process of developing a National Action Plan on child labour (NAP on child labour) with assistance from ILO–IPEC. According to the information from ILO–IPEC, a technical working group was set up to conduct regional consultations and to draft the NAP document. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing the NAP on child labour.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee previously noted the various measures taken by the Government to improve access to education. However, it noted with concern the low rates of enrolment as well as high drop-out rates at the primary and secondary levels.
The Committee notes from the compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Human Rights Council (A/HRC/WG.6/22/LBR/2, 23 February 2015) that according to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the gender gap was apparent in education and that illiteracy rates among women and girls were especially high at 60 per cent. This report further refers to the statement made by the United Nations Country Team in Liberia that, due to the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), schools had been ordered to be closed in June 2014 and an estimated 1.4 million students had been forced to stay home. Many of those students had taken up jobs and some opted not to return to school once the danger of EVD was cleared. The Committee acknowledges the difficult situation prevailing in the country. Nevertheless, considering the importance of education in preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the proper functioning of the education system and to strengthen its efforts to bring back children to schools. It requests the Government to take measures to increase the enrolment and completion rates at primary and secondary levels and to provide information in this regard.
Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child soldiers. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes that according to the information from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Government, along with UNDP and UNICEF, demobilized 11,780 children including 2,378 girls. According to this report, 50 per cent of the children associated with the fighting forces returned to school while many others were provided with vocational and business skills; apprenticeship and work-related experiential knowledge through the Reintegration Programme for Children associated with Fighting Forces implemented by the Government with the assistance of UNICEF. The Committee also notes from a report from the United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (At Work Together, United Nations in Liberia) that all children demobilized from the armed conflict have been offered formal education or skills training in trades including tailoring, carpentry, masonry or agriculture through assistance by the UNICEF and UNDP under the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) programme.
Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. 1. Child orphans of armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and Ebola. The Committee previously noted that according to UNICEF estimates of 2011, there were approximately 230,000 orphans in Liberia due to armed conflict and HIV/AIDS.
The Committee notes the information from UNICEF that a social cash transfer scheme was launched by the Government with support from UNICEF, and funding from the European Commission and the Government of Japan to protect children living in poor and vulnerable households. Accordingly, beneficiary households receive monthly cash transfers that vary according to the size of the household with additional sums provided for each child enrolled in school. To date, 1,900 families are receiving support through this programme, of which 54 per cent of beneficiaries are children. The Committee, nevertheless notes that according to the UNAIDS estimates of 2013 there are more than 40,000 orphans due to HIV/AIDS who are aged under 17 years; while the ICRC estimates indicate that more than 3,000 children in Liberia have lost one or both parents to the Ebola virus. The Committee notes with concern that the situation of child orphans has been exacerbated with the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country. In view of the fact that orphans are at an increased risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved.
2. Ivorian refugee children. The Committee notes that according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since 2013, more than 30,000 Ivorian refugees who had been residing in Liberia were returned to their home country; around 8,737 early childhood, primary and secondary students returned to school; around 2,700 refugee children were issued with birth certificates; more than 350 refugee children were provided with informal secondary education; some 600 unaccompanied minors or separated children were registered in Liberia; and some 90 unaccompanied children were reunited with their family in Cote d’Ivoire. The Committee requests the Government to continue taking measures to protect Ivorian refugee children from the worst forms of child labour and to provide information on the results achieved.
Application of the Convention in practice. According to the findings of the 2012 survey conducted by ILO and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-information Services, of the estimated population of 937,000 children of 6–17 years in Liberia, 175,000 children were found working. Out of this, about 43,000 children were deemed to be engaged in child labour of which 38,000 child labourers were found in hazardous work. More than 53 per cent of children were working in the agriculture sector, 28.8 per cent in the services sector and 14 per cent in the industrial sector. Considering the large number of children under 18 years of age who are engaged in hazardous work, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to protect children from these forms of child labour. It requests the Government to continue to provide statistics and other information on the nature, extent, and trends of the worst forms of child labour and on the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information should be disaggregated by sex and age.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that, in January 2013, Liberia convicted for the first time a Pakistani national accused of human trafficking, who was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. The Government report further indicated two instances wherein the persons arrested for offences related to the trafficking of children escaped prior to prosecution. The Committee notes from the Government’s written replies of 5 September 2012 to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that a comprehensive situation analysis of human trafficking, conducted by the Ministry of Labour and the Anti-trafficking Task Force in 2010, indicated that human trafficking is prevalent in Liberia, both within and across the borders, for different purposes including for labour exploitation (CRC/C/LBR/Q/2-4/Add.1, paragraph 67). The Committee requests the Government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure that thorough investigations and robust prosecutions of perpetrators of the sale and trafficking of children are carried out and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and criminal penalties imposed in relation to the perpetrators of the sale and trafficking of children.
Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, pornography or pornographic performances. 1. Prostitution. The Committee previously noted that section 18 of the Penal Code provides for penalties for offences related to operating a prostitution business; inducing, procuring or purposely causing another to remain a prostitute or to engage in sexual activity; or to facilitate or promote prostitution.
The Committee notes that, according to section 21.1 of the Children’s Law of 2011, every child shall be protected from sexual abuse and exploitation including prostitution and pornography. The Committee also notes that, as per the amendments made to section 16.4 of the Penal Code, a person commits a first-degree felony (defined in section 50.5 of the Penal Code as an offence for which a sentence of imprisonment for a maximum of ten years shall be imposed) if he/she violates a child’s welfare by causing or inducing the seduction, prostitution or abduction of a child.
2. Pornography. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that, as per the amendments made to the Penal Law, a new section on subjecting or involving a child to pornography has been adopted under section 18.14. According to this section, any person who subjects any child to pornographic material or involves any child in the making of such material shall be guilty of a third-degree felony (imprisonment for a maximum of three years). Section 18.15 further stipulates that any person exposing or inciting a child to engage or indulge in any cinematic, photographic or motion picture of a pornographic nature shall be guilty of a felony. Finally, any person who keeps or distributes any content of indecent images or depicting any form of illegal sexual activity of a child shall be guilty of a felony.
Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that, as per the amendments made to Chapter 16 of the Penal Law, any person who sells or sends a child to procure any narcotic or intoxicating drugs or employs a child in the sale of narcotics and intoxicating drugs shall be guilty of a misdemeanour of the first degree (imprisonment for not more than one year).
Clause (d). Hazardous work. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that, according to section 20 of the Children’s Law, every child shall have the right to be protected from work and other practices that may threaten their health, education, spiritual, physical and moral development. Section 4 of Chapter VI of the Children’s Law further states that no person or society shall subject a child to any harmful practices, including giving over a child to work in indecent or hazardous conditions. The Committee further notes that, according to section 9 of Chapter VII of the Children’s Law, no person shall employ a child in work that is inappropriate for the child’s age or that may be hazardous to the child’s health, educational, emotional or physical development. This prohibition applies to all work undertaken by children, regardless of whether the work is under a contractual relationship and regardless of whether the work is for payment or reward.
Article 4(1). Determination of hazardous work. The Committee previously noted the Government’s statement that, in determining the types of work considered as hazardous, consideration will be given to the types of work enumerated in Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190.
The Committee notes that, according to section 9.2 of Chapter VII of the Children’s Law, the Ministry of Labour shall issue regulations to specify terms and conditions applicable to specific categories of work, including, as appropriate, the establishment of minimum working ages for different categories of work. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any regulations determining the types of hazardous work prohibited to children under the age of 18 years have been adopted pursuant to section 9.1 of Chapter VII of the Children’s Law.
Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. National Commission on Child Labour (NCCL). Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the NCCL has conducted training for child labour monitors and carried out awareness-raising programmes on child labour throughout Liberia. The Government further indicates that ILO–IPEC has provided training, both locally and internationally, for the staff of the NCCL to build their capacity on child labour issues. However, the Government states that there has not been sufficient budgetary support and therefore the NCCL finds it difficult to implement its mandate. The Committee also notes that, in its concluding observations of December 2012, the CRC expressed its concern at the prevalence and level of child labour, including hazardous work in almost all sectors of the economy. It further expressed its concern at the weak implementation of labour-related laws and at the ineffectiveness of the NCCL which is in charge of enforcing labour laws and policies (CRC/C/LBR/CO/2-4, paragraph 77). The Committee therefore urges the Government to strengthen its efforts to address the lack of capacity of the NCCL, including through the allocation of additional resources and the provision of training to its staff, in order to monitor the implementation of the provisions giving effect to the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard.
2. National Child Rights Observatory Group (NACROG). The Committee notes from the Government’s written replies to the CRC that the NACROG, which has been functioning to conduct monitoring and observation on abuse and violence against children, dealt with 39 cases of child trafficking from 2010 to 2012 (paragraph 118). The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the number of cases of child trafficking that have been reported by the NACROG, as well as on the investigations, prosecutions, convictions and sanctions applied relating to this worst form of child labour.
Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. National Plan on trafficking. The Committee notes, from the Government’s combined second, third and fourth periodic reports of 2011 to the CRC (2011 periodic reports to the CRC), that the National Plan on trafficking is being implemented by the National Anti-trafficking Task Force, which is an inter-ministerial team established under section 1 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons, 2005. The plan has spelt out roles for the seven government institution members of the task force and other key agents and non-governmental organizations to counter human trafficking as well as to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who are rescued or repatriated (CRC/C/LBR/2-4, paragraphs 346 and 347). The Committee further notes, from the Government’s written replies to the CRC of September 2012, that the National Anti-trafficking Task Force has conducted training over the past two years for parents in 12 villages to serve as watchdogs for rural communities, especially in the south-eastern region, and conducted workshops and awareness-raising programmes on the danger of human trafficking and strategies involved in its prevention (CRC/C/LBR/Q/2-4/Add.1, paragraph 68). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken by the National Anti-trafficking Task Force within the framework of the National Plan on Trafficking on combating the trafficking of children under 18 years of age.
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. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information contained in its written replies to the CRC that the Education Reform Act was adopted in 2011, which governs and regulates the education system and which ensures the provision of quality education to all children, promotes equal access to educational opportunities, and decentralizes the education system. The Government further indicates that an Education Sector Policy (ESP) has been developed through which three rural teacher training institutions were rehabilitated and furnished. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Education has started partnering with the Liberia Education Trust (LET), a local NGO, to encourage more girls to enrol and remain in school. The Government further indicates that, in the past few years, a total of 193 primary schools, three secondary schools and two tertiary schools have been constructed and 20 secondary schools have been renovated and extended (CRC/C/LBR/Q/2-4/Add.1, paragraphs 53 and 54). The Committee notes the statement made by the Government delegate during the 61st Session of the CRC on 19 December 2012 that there has been a marked increase in the school enrolment rate of girls, following the rebuilding of schools and the school-meals initiatives developed by the World Food Programme. The delegate also stated that, with the help of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education has launched school-building and renovation campaigns in remote areas. Further, the boarding school system had been re-established for adolescent girls who would benefit from all the necessary services, including health counselling. Moreover, a social cash transfer programme has been launched in two of the poorest counties in order to help families meet their children’s needs and send them to school.
The Committee notes, however, from the Government’s written replies to the CRC that a study conducted on out-of-school children in 2011 by the Ministry of Education, with the help of UNICEF, revealed that 68 per cent of children in Liberia were not attending school, and that a total of 15,708 children between the ages of 12 and 18 years had dropped out, of which 7,888 were girls. In more than two-thirds (67.6 per cent) of the households interviewed, girls had dropped out of school because they were pregnant. The Committee notes that, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, in 2011 the net enrolment rates in primary education was 41 per cent (42 per cent boys and 40 per cent girls), while 66 per cent of children completed primary education. While noting the various measures taken by the Government to improve access to education, the Committee expresses its concern at the low rates of enrolment as well as high drop-out rates at the primary and secondary levels. Considering that education contributes to preventing children from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the functioning of the education system in the country and to facilitate access to free basic education for all children, especially girls, by increasing the school enrolment rates at the primary and secondary levels and by decreasing their drop-out rates. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved.
Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. 1. Ivorian refugee children. The Committee notes from the UNICEF Situation Report of July 2013 that, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of 1 July 2013, there are 58,484 Ivorian refugees in Liberia, of which 18 per cent are children aged 0–4 years, 25 per cent are children aged 5–11 years and 11 per cent are children aged 12–17 years. The UNICEF report of 2013 entitled “Humanitarian Action for Children–Liberia” states that many refugee women and children are often exposed to sexual exploitation. The Committee also notes that UNICEF is working closely with the Minister of Education and with Save the Children to increase the school enrolment and attendance of Liberian and Ivorian children living in host communities. The Committee requests the Government to continue taking measures to protect Ivorian children from the worst forms of child labour and to provide information on the results achieved.
2. Children working on rubber plantations. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that the United States Department of Labor has initiated a project to reduce child labour in the rubber sector which is in operation in three counties, namely Margibi, Nimba and Grand Bassa. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that collective bargaining agreements signed in recent years have expressly prohibited child labour, especially on rubber plantations. The Government’s report further indicated that the National Commission on Child Labour has carried out awareness-raising and training programmes for child labour monitors in major rubber plantations in Liberia. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s statement contained in its periodic reports to the CRC of 2011 that the commonest forms of economic exploitation of children are found in rubber tapping and trading. An assessment conducted by the NACROG in 2005 indicated that 40 per cent of children of school-going age on four plantations in four counties had dropped out of school, while 23 per cent had never attended any school. The Committee expresses its concern at the situation of children working on rubber estates. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children working on rubber plantations, including in hazardous work, and to provide information on the measures taken in this regard.
Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that a study to assess the magnitude of the child labour situation in Liberia was conducted in April 2013. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the findings of the study conducted in May 2013, with regard to the number of children involved in the worst forms of child labour in Liberia.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). Forced recruitment of children in armed conflict. The Committee previously requested the Government to take the necessary measures to prohibit the use of children under the age of 18 years in armed conflict.
The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of the Children’s Law of 2011 which, under section 22 states that every child shall have the right to be protected from involvement in armed or any kind of violent conflicts. The Committee notes that according to section 3 of Chapter I of the Children’s Law a “child” shall mean any person below the age of 18 years. Section 22 further prohibits the recruitment or conscription of children into military service. The Committee further notes that chapter XII of the Children’s Law amends section 16 of the Penal Code which states that a person commits a first degree felony (defined in section 50.5 of the Penal Code as an offence for which a sentence to imprisonment for a maximum of ten years shall be imposed) if he/she recruits or enlists any child for purposes of engaging in violent conflict, while recruitment of a child for supporting an armed conflict shall constitute a second degree felony (imprisonment to a maximum of five years) (section 16.14). The Committee underlines the need for the effective implementation of this law. The Committee notes, however, that in practice, as indicated in the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of December 2012, it appears that the armed actors along the borders continue to recruit children into their ranks and that the state party has not taken any action to address this situation (CRC/C/LBR/CO/2-4, paragraph 74). The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to take immediate and effective measures to put an end, in practice, to the forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict and proceed with the full and immediate demobilization of all children. It also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that persons who forcibly recruit children under 18 years of age for use in armed conflict are prosecuted and punished.
Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child soldiers. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s periodic report to the CRC of 2011 that the Government, in cooperation with UNICEF, has implemented the Reintegration Programme for Children associated with Fighting Forces which aims at the social and economic reintegration, community reintegration and education through vocational skills and apprenticeships of children associated with armed conflict. In addition to helping establish 293 child welfare committees, the programme contributed towards the formation of 228 children’s clubs and 193 youth clubs to facilitate greater participation for the children. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that, as of 2007, in addition to a large number of children who have benefited from vocational skills and apprenticeship, 50 per cent of the children associated with the fighting forces were returned to school (CRC/C/LBR/2-4, paragraphs 196–197). The Committee encourages the Government to continue taking measures to rehabilitate former child soldiers and to reduce and eliminate the possibility of re-recruitment in any conflict in the region. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the number of child soldiers who have been rehabilitated and reintegrated by the Reintegration Programme for Children associated with Fighting Forces, as well as by any other ongoing programmes for the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by conflict.
Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child victims/orphans of armed conflict and HIV/AIDS. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information contained in its written replies to the CRC that a National Independent Accreditation Committee (IAC) was established in 2010 to oversee and guide the selection of credible institutions providing alternative care services for vulnerable children. Out of the 88 alternative care institutions that remain in the country, 35 institutions have been assessed by the IAC, of which ten institutions were accredited, while the rest were instructed to undertake relevant measures to comply with the standards. According to the Government’s information, 3,637 children are currently living in 88 functional orphanages. Since 2009, 637 non-orphans living in orphanages have been reunited with families or relatives (paragraphs 27–30).
The Committee notes, however, that the 2011 UNICEF statistics indicated that there are approximately 230,000 orphans in Liberia, due to armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and other causes. The Committee expresses its deep concern at the high number of children orphaned due to armed conflict and HIV/AIDS. Recalling that children orphaned by armed conflict, HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable children continue to be at an increased risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour. It further requests the Government to provide detailed information on the concrete measures implemented in this regard and on the results achieved.
The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which reads as follows:
Repetition
Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that it has drafted a Children’s Act (Draft Children’s Act) which prohibits various forms of child abuse, including the worst forms of child labour. The Government indicates that the Draft Children’s Act was adopted by the Assembly in February 2009, and is currently in front of the Senate. The Committee noted the extracts of the Draft Children’s Act provided in the Government’s report, though it notes that the Government’s report does not contain the provisions defining the term “child” for the purpose of the Act. The Committee therefore reminds the Government that the protection against the worst forms of child labour in Article 3 of the Convention extends to all persons under the age of 18 and expresses the hope that the protection provided by the Draft Children’s Act will be in conformity with the Convention in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Children’s Act, once adopted.
Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee noted that section 2 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) prohibits all forms of trafficking, defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of a threat or use of force or coercion or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by giving or receiving of payments to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation. Section 5 of the Trafficking Act also prohibits conspiring to, assisting in, or attempting to engage in trafficking of persons. The Committee further noted that section 7(c) of the Trafficking Act provides for a harsher penalty when the victim of this offence is under the age of 18 years. Lastly, the Committee noted that section 78 of the Draft Children’s Act provides that “[a]ny person, convicted under the Trafficking Law or any penal law prohibiting the abduction or trafficking of children shall be placed on a child offender’s register and not allowed to render direct work services to children.”
The Committee noted the information in the 2009 report on trafficking in persons in Liberia, available on the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees website (www.unhcr.org) (Trafficking Report) that Liberia is a source, transit and destination country for child trafficking, for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. The Trafficking Report also indicates that most victims are trafficked within the country, primarily from rural to urban areas for domestic servitude, forced street vending, forced begging by religious instructors and sexual exploitation in brothels or private apartments, in addition to work on rubber plantations and in alluvial diamond mines. The Committee also noted the information in the 2009 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report entitled “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons” (UNODC Trafficking Report) indicates that the Government recorded eight child trafficking victims in 2005, and nine in 2006, both boys and girls. However, the UNODC Trafficking Report indicates that no convictions for trafficking were recorded during this period. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Trafficking Act prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children are, in practice, applied. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information the application of these provisions, including, in particular, statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by sex and age.
2. Slavery, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour. The Committee noted that article 12 of the Constitution of Liberia provides that “[n]o person shall be held in slavery or forced labour within the Republic, nor shall any citizen of Liberia nor any person resident therein deal in slaves or subject any other person to forced labour, debt bondage or peonage”, with the exception of court orders, military service or during times of emergency. The Committee also noted that the Trafficking Act, pursuant to sections 1 and 2, prohibits trafficking for the purpose of forced labour.
Nonetheless, the Committee referred to its 2005 comments concerning the Government’s application of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), where the Committee noted reports of children being taken hostage by adults and used as a source of captive labour in the south-eastern part of Liberia. The Committee noted that this part of the country was in a grave humanitarian crisis and an extreme state of poverty and that the reported situations of exploitation were due to the consequences of the war. In its 2008 observation concerning the Government’s report submitted under Convention No. 29, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that, in May 2008, a tripartite national committee was under consideration to investigate the complaints of forced labour and the hostage situation in the south-eastern region. Referring to its comments made under Convention No. 29, the Committee requests the Government to provide up to date information on the activities of the tripartite committee responsible for this investigation of forced labour, and to provide information on any other measures taken to protect persons under 18 years of age from forced labour.
3. Forced recruitment of children in armed conflict. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that section 54 of the Draft Children’s Act forbids the use of children in armed conflict, and that sections 54.1–54.6 prohibit recruiting or conscripting a child into military service or to use a landmine and other weapons declared by international law to be adverse to children.
The Committee noted the information in the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1 July 2004, that, prior to the signing of the Liberian Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2003, up to 20,000 children were involved in the armed conflict (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 5). It noted the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that the majority of these children were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Security Council Report on Child Soldiers indicates that, as of 2006, there was no known group that uses or recruits child soldiers or former child soldiers (paragraph 55), though the Committee noted that the 13th progress report of the Secretary-General on the UNMIL (of 11 December 2006) expressed concerns regarding the possible re recruitment of former Liberian combatants, including children, by Ivorian militia groups (S/2006/958, paragraph 12). Recalling that the forced recruitment of children for the use in armed conflict constitutes one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that this practice is prohibited by law. In this regard, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the provisions contained in the Children’s Act prohibiting the use of children in armed conflict in the very near future.
Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, pornography or pornographic performances. 1. Prostitution. The Committee noted that, pursuant to section 18.1 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour (defined in section 50.1 of the Penal Code as an offence for which a sentence of a maximum of one year’s imprisonment is authorized) to operate a prostitution business, or to induce, procure or otherwise purposely cause another to become engaged in sexual activity as a business. Pursuant to section 18.2 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour to knowingly procure a prostitute for a patron, solicit a person to patronize a prostitute or live off the proceeds of prostitution. Section 18.5 of the Penal Code states that it is an infraction (which, pursuant to section 50.1 of the Penal Code is an offence that does not constitute a crime, and for which imprisonment is not authorized) to hire a prostitute to engage in sexual activities. The Committee therefore observed that, while procuring or offering a person below the age of 18 years for the purpose of prostitution constitutes a crime, pursuant to sections 18.5 and 50.1 of the Penal Code, a person who hires a prostitute below the age of 18 years of age is only guilty of an “infraction” and not a “crime”, and is not subject to the penalty of imprisonment. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures as a matter of urgency to ensure that the use of a person under the age of 18 for the purpose of prostitution is a criminal offence.
2. Pornography. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that section 74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the storing, keeping or distributing of indecent images of any child (or depicting any form of illegal sexual activity of a child). The Committee observed that this provision does not address the production of pornography, or more particularly the use, offering or procuring of a person under 18 for this purpose. The Government’s report also indicated that sections 74.1–74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the “sexual exploitation” of a child, though it is not indicated if this prohibition encompasses the use, procuring of offering of a child for the purpose of the production of pornography. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate if the definition of sexual exploitation in the Draft Children’s Act includes the use, offering or procuring of a child for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. If not, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that legislation prohibiting this worst form of child labour is adopted in the near future.
Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that, pursuant to section 76 of the Draft Children’s Act, exposing a child to narcotic and intoxicating drugs is strictly prohibited, as is selling them these substances. The Committee also noted the Government’s indication that a governmental drug enforcement agency (DEA) was established to fight against the trade and use of drugs in Liberia. The Government stated that the Act establishing the DEA forbids the trade and use of narcotic drugs by children less than 18 years. The Committee observed that the legislation referred to in the Government’s report does not explicitly prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years for illicit activities, particularly the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the sale and trafficking of narcotic drugs is under consideration for inclusion on a list of hazardous types of work prohibited for persons under 18. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 3(c) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of illicit activities is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit these activities. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the relevant legislation.
Clause (d). Hazardous work. The Committee noted the Government’s statement that section 52 of the Draft Children’s Act, when enacted, will “assure the right of the child to be protected from harmful work”, and that sections 52.1–52.2 state that it is an offence to subject a child to domestic, trade and other work that is likely to harm the child’s health, educational, spiritual, physical and moral development. The Committee also noted the statement in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that many school-aged children are engaged in economic activities or work in the home which may harm their health or safety (paragraph 40). Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Children’s Act, prohibiting hazardous work for children under 18 years of age, are adopted in the near future.
Article 4(1). Determination of hazardous work. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that a national Stakeholders’ Conference to “determine child labour by Liberian standards” was due to convene in November 2008. The Government’s report indicates that this Conference was expected to bring together a cross section of stakeholders including representatives of the Government, employers, workers, civil society and children, with the purpose of generating a concise definition of child labour in the national context, to facilitate the implementation of ILO Recommendation No. 190. However, the Committee noted an absence of information in the Government’s report on the outcome of this Conference. Nonetheless, the Committee noted the Government’s statement that, in determining types of work considered as hazardous, consideration will be given to the types of work enumerated in Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the completion and adoption of a list of hazardous types of work, in consultation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard, and to provide a copy of the list once adopted.
Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. National Commission on Child Labour. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that the National Commission on Child Labour (NACOMAL) was established in 2004 as a tripartite body, to coordinate the campaign for the elimination of child labour in Liberia. The NACOMAL is charged with the management, investigation and monitoring of child labour in the country, in addition to raising public awareness on the issue. In this regard, the Government’s report indicated that the NACOMAL has begun setting up tripartite Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CLMCs), and that the CLMCs include participation from a variety of civil society actors working in the interest of children. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement that there is a serious need for capacity building of the NACOMAL. The Government indicated that the NACOMAL currently lacks basic office essentials such as computer equipment, printers and photocopiers, and that its staff requires training. The Committee therefore requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to address the NACOMAL’s lack of capacity, including through the allocation of additional resources and the provision of training to its staff. The Committee also requests the Government to provide additional information on the practical functioning of the CLMCs, in addition to the number of CLMCs established.
2. Trafficking. The Committee noted the information in the UNODC Trafficking Report that a Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberian National Police was established in 2005, responsible for the investigation of cases of human trafficking. The Committee also noted in the Trafficking Report that the National Police rescued 50 Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Guinean child victims of trafficking from a religious school in Lofa, where they were being forced to beg. The Trafficking Report also indicated that the National Human Trafficking Task Force was established in 2006, and consists of government ministries (including the Ministry of Labour), the Inspector General of the Police, and the Commissioner of Immigration. The Trafficking Report further indicated that the Task Force plays a role in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes, and, in 2008, members of the Task Force accompanied the Liberia National Police on investigations. The Committee further noted the information from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that that the Government is participating in an IOM and UNMIL programme to train immigration officials on the identification of human trafficking victims.
Despite these mechanisms, the Committee observed that significant obstacles remain in the effective monitoring of child trafficking. The Committee noted the concerns raised in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Progress Made in the Situation of Human Rights in Liberia” (OHCHR Report) of 27 August 2009 regarding child trafficking due to porous land borders and inadequate staffing of regular crossing points by immigration officials. The Committee also noted the information in the Trafficking Report that Liberian police often lacked vehicles to respond to trafficking reports, that courts often lacked prosecutors (requiring police officers to play the role of prosecutor), and judges were often unaware of the law against trafficking. Therefore, while taking due note of the Government’s efforts to combat the trafficking of children, the Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure the effective monitoring and elimination of this phenomenon. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to strengthen the capacity of the Women and Children Protection Section (of the National Police), of immigration officials, and of the National Human Trafficking Task Force to combat the trafficking of children.
Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that the NACOMAL has been implementing sensitization and awareness programmes on the issue of child labour. The Committee also noted the information in the ILO–IPEC Technical Progress Report (ILO–IPEC TPR) of September 2009 for the project “Project Development, Awareness Raising and Support for the Implementation of the Global Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016” that Liberia is a participant in this project, though activities in Liberia have not yet commenced. A central objective of this project is to launch a national process for formulating and drafting the National Action Plan on child labour, and the ILO–IPEC TPR indicates that these activities should commence in Liberia in 2010. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made towards the development and adoption of a national action programme on child labour, within the framework of cooperation with ILO–IPEC. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the awareness-raising activities of the NACOMAL, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour.
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. The Committee noted that, pursuant to section 194(3.1) of the Education Law, every parent must send their child between the ages of 6 and 16 to school regularly, provided that they have the means to meet the minimum requirements of a school. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement that in 2006 it commenced a policy of free and compulsory primary education, requiring parents to ensure that their children are enrolled in school. The Committee further noted that the Government has formulated the Education For All National Action Plan (EFA–NAP). In addition, the Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that it is collaborating with the International Rescue Committee in implementing a Countering Youth and Child Labour through Education programme (CYCLE). The Government’s report indicated that, under this programme, children are encouraged and supported to enrol in educational institutions, as a way of preventing or withdrawing them from child labour. The Government’s report indicated that approximately 15,000 children have been withdrawn or prevented from engaging in child labour through this programme, benefiting from academic support and skills and vocational training.
Nonetheless, the Committee noted the statement in the UNMIL document entitled “Report on the Human Rights Situation in Liberia, January – June 2009” (UNMIL Human Rights Report) that, despite the policy of free primary education, there are still insufficient schools to absorb all school-aged children, especially in rural communities, and that, where schools do exist, they are often ill-equipped with inadequate classroom furniture, school supplies and textbooks (paragraph 47). The Committee also noted the information in the 2010 UNESCO report entitled “Education For All: Global Monitoring Report” that the net enrolment rate in primary education was 31 per cent in 2007 (or approximately 447,000 out-of-school children), a decline from 42 per cent in 1999. While observing that the armed conflict in Liberia had a crippling effect on Liberia’s education system (information from UNICEF indicates that approximately 80 per cent of schools were destroyed during this period), the Committee expressed concern at the low rate of attendance at the primary level. Recalling 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 improve the functioning of the education system, within the framework of the EFA–NAP. It requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken in this regard, in addition to the impact of these measures, particularly with respect to increasing enrolment rates and decreasing drop-out rates at the primary-school level. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the CYCLE programme, including the number of children reached through this programme.
Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. 1. Child victims of trafficking. The Committee noted that, pursuant to the agreement entitled “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa”, the Government agreed to withdraw, and assume responsibility for, child victims of trafficking found in Liberia, in addition to participating in the repatriation process of these children. The Committee also noted the information from the IOM that the Government is establishing a national referral system (with IOM support) that will identify, refer, protect and provide follow-up services for victims of human trafficking in Liberia. This referral system will also offer voluntary return and reintegration options for both foreign nationals found in the country and Liberian victims, assisted partly through the establishment of a pilot Return and Reintegration Fund. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the establishment of a national referral system for victims of trafficking and the role of this system in the identification and removal of child victims of trafficking. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of children benefiting from repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation services, once this system is established.
2. Child soldiers. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report submitted to the CRC of 22 September 2003 that, following the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a National Veterans’ Programme was established to address the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers, in addition to collaboration with international organizations to provide trauma counselling, vocational skills training, literacy programmes and economic reintegration packages for these children (CRC/C/15/Add.21, paragraphs 222–225). The Committee also noted the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that more than 10,963 children (77 per cent boys and 23 per cent girls)were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UNMIL disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Committee further noted that UNICEF, as of 2006, operated a programme to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers, aiming to reach 5,445 demobilized children in seven counties.
The Committee noted that, in July 2009, the President officially closed the national disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programme, though notes that the IOM still operates a project in Lofa County to provide reintegration assistance to conflict-affected women and girls, with on-the-job vocational training, small business start-up grants, reinsertion kits and livelihood tools. The Committee encourages the Government to continue initiatives to rehabilitate former child soldiers to reduce and eliminate the possibility of re recruitment in any conflict in the region. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any ongoing programmes with a focus on the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children affected by conflict, in addition to the results achieved.
3. Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee noted that the CRC, in its concluding observations of 1 July 2004, expressed that it shared the Government’s concern about the prevalence of child prostitution, particularly in urban areas (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 62). The Committee also noted the information in the OHCHR report of 27 August 2009 that school-aged children are engaged in commercial sexual exploitation (paragraph 25). It further noted the information in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that child prostitution is on the rise in Lofa County (paragraph 41). The Committee expresses its concern at reports that, in some regions of the country, the commercial sexual exploitation of children is increasing and requests the Government to take the necessary measures to provide for the removal, rehabilitation and social reintegration of child victims of prostitution.
Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. 1. Children deprived of family care (orphans). The Committee noted the UNICEF information that there are approximately 270 000 orphans in Liberia, due to armed conflict, HIV/AIDS (more than 17,000 children have been orphaned by this epidemic) and other diseases (particularly malaria). The Committee observed that these children are at an increased risk for becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the information in the OHCHR report that orphans are at an increased vulnerability to child trafficking; this report indicates that, in June 2009, the Government closed down an orphanage in Grand Gedeh County due to links with child trafficking (paragraph 24). The Committee also noted the information in the 2007 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Orphanages” that many orphanages have poor record keeping, leaving children at an increased vulnerability to trafficking, and lack educational opportunities for orphans. Although the use of children to undertake the work of orphanage staff is prohibited, this report indicates that children residing in these institutions sometimes perform economically exploitative work, including working on farms connected with the orphanages. Noting the relatively large number of orphaned children in Liberia, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour. It further requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures implemented in this regard.
2. Children working on rubber plantations. The Committee noted the statement in the Government’s report that CLMCs have been established in seven key rubber plantations. However, the Committee noted the information in the 2006 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Rubber Plantations” that child labour is frequently used on rubber plantations, often under hazardous conditions (page 7). This UNMIL report documented injuries sustained by children performing work on rubber plantations with dangerous chemicals without safety equipment or prior training, and that these children lacked access to educational facilities. This report also indicated that, although child labour is prohibited on many plantations, the plantation companies interviewed in the study admitted that they did not effectively monitor this phenomenon. In addition, the Committee noted the information in the UN Common Country Assessment on Liberia (UN CCA) of June 2006 that, following the end of the conflict in the country, significant levels of human rights violations have emanated from a number of rubber plantations throughout Liberia, including forced labour and child labour, allegedly perpetrated by ex-combatants occupying the plantations for economic gain (page 26). The UN CCA indicates that the UN established a special Task Force on Rubber Plantations to address these problems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken by the Task Force on Rubber Plantations to protect children working on rubber plantations from forced labour and hazardous work. It also requests the Government to provide additional information on the role of the CLMCs on rubber plantations in preventing this phenomenon.
Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. The Committee noted that the “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa” signed by Liberia and seven other countries of the region in 2005 (submitted with the Government’s report), binds the Government to take measures with regard to the prevention of child trafficking, and the protection, repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims. The Committee also noted that the agreement obligates the Government to cooperate with other States in the region to address this phenomenon and establishes a Permanent Regional Monitoring Commission on Child Trafficking. The Committee further noted the information in the Trafficking Report that children are trafficked to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, and from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Nigeria for domestic servitude, street vending, sexual exploitation, agricultural labour and forced begging. In light of this information, the Committee urges the Government to continue its regional cooperation efforts to ensure that persons under 18 are protected from trafficking. It requests the Government to provide information on concrete measures taken pursuant to the Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa, and on the results achieved.
Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee noted the Government’s statement that it has encountered difficulties in the application of the Convention, identifying gaps in legislation, the limited capacity of the NACOMAL and the delay in ratifying Convention No. 138 as particular constraints. The Committee noted these difficulties and, with regard to gaps in legislation, reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance, to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in Liberia, and to provide information on the worst forms of child labour, including copies or extracts from official documents including inspection reports, studies and inquiries, and information on the nature, extent and trends of those forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penal sanctions applied.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Repetition
Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that it has drafted a Children’s Act (Draft Children’s Act) which prohibits various forms of child abuse, including the worst forms of child labour. The Government indicates that the Draft Children’s Act was adopted by the Assembly in February 2009, and is currently in front of the Senate. The Committee noted the extracts of the Draft Children’s Act provided in the Government’s report, though it notes that the Government’s report does not contain the provisions defining the term “child” for the purpose of the Act. The Committee therefore reminds the Government that the protection against the worst forms of child labour in Article 3 of the Convention extends to all persons under the age of 18 and expresses the hope that the protection provided by the Draft Children’s Act will be in conformity with the Convention in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Children’s Act, once adopted.
Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee noted that section 2 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) prohibits all forms of trafficking, defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of a threat or use of force or coercion or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by giving or receiving of payments to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation. Section 5 of the Trafficking Act also prohibits conspiring to, assisting in, or attempting to engage in trafficking of persons. The Committee further noted that section 7(c) of the Trafficking Act provides for a harsher penalty when the victim of this offence is under the age of 18 years. Lastly, the Committee noted that section 78 of the Draft Children’s Act provides that “[a]ny person, convicted under the Trafficking Law or any penal law prohibiting the abduction or trafficking of children shall be placed on a child offender’s register and not allowed to render direct work services to children.”
The Committee noted the information in the 2009 report on trafficking in persons in Liberia, available on the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees website (www.unhcr.org) (Trafficking Report) that Liberia is a source, transit and destination country for child trafficking, for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. The Trafficking Report also indicates that most victims are trafficked within the country, primarily from rural to urban areas for domestic servitude, forced street vending, forced begging by religious instructors and sexual exploitation in brothels or private apartments, in addition to work on rubber plantations and in alluvial diamond mines. The Committee also noted the information in the 2009 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report entitled “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons” (UNODC Trafficking Report) indicates that the Government recorded eight child trafficking victims in 2005, and nine in 2006, both boys and girls. However, the UNODC Trafficking Report indicates that no convictions for trafficking were recorded during this period. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Trafficking Act prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children are, in practice, applied. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information the application of these provisions, including, in particular, statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by sex and age.
Slavery, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour. The Committee noted that article 12 of the Constitution of Liberia provides that “[n]o person shall be held in slavery or forced labour within the Republic, nor shall any citizen of Liberia nor any person resident therein deal in slaves or subject any other person to forced labour, debt bondage or peonage”, with the exception of court orders, military service or during times of emergency. The Committee also noted that the Trafficking Act, pursuant to sections 1 and 2, prohibits trafficking for the purpose of forced labour.
Nonetheless, the Committee referred to its 2005 comments concerning the Government’s application of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), where the Committee noted reports of children being taken hostage by adults and used as a source of captive labour in the south-eastern part of Liberia. The Committee noted that this part of the country was in a grave humanitarian crisis and an extreme state of poverty and that the reported situations of exploitation were due to the consequences of the war. In its 2008 observation concerning the Government’s report submitted under Convention No. 29, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that, in May 2008, a tripartite national committee was under consideration to investigate the complaints of forced labour and the hostage situation in the south-eastern region. Referring to its comments made under Convention No. 29, the Committee requests the Government to provide up to date information on the activities of the tripartite committee responsible for this investigation of forced labour, and to provide information on any other measures taken to protect persons under 18 years of age from forced labour.
Forced recruitment of children in armed conflict. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that section 54 of the Draft Children’s Act forbids the use of children in armed conflict, and that sections 54.1–54.6 prohibit recruiting or conscripting a child into military service or to use a landmine and other weapons declared by international law to be adverse to children.
The Committee noted the information in the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1 July 2004, that, prior to the signing of the Liberian Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2003, up to 20,000 children were involved in the armed conflict (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 5). It noted the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that the majority of these children were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Security Council Report on Child Soldiers indicates that, as of 2006, there was no known group that uses or recruits child soldiers or former child soldiers (paragraph 55), though the Committee noted that the 13th progress report of the Secretary-General on the UNMIL (of 11 December 2006) expressed concerns regarding the possible re recruitment of former Liberian combatants, including children, by Ivorian militia groups (S/2006/958, paragraph 12). Recalling that the forced recruitment of children for the use in armed conflict constitutes one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that this practice is prohibited by law. In this regard, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the provisions contained in the Children’s Act prohibiting the use of children in armed conflict in the very near future.
Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, pornography or pornographic performances. Prostitution. The Committee noted that, pursuant to section 18.1 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour (defined in section 50.1 of the Penal Code as an offence for which a sentence of a maximum of one year’s imprisonment is authorized) to operate a prostitution business, or to induce, procure or otherwise purposely cause another to become engaged in sexual activity as a business. Pursuant to section 18.2 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour to knowingly procure a prostitute for a patron, solicit a person to patronize a prostitute or live off the proceeds of prostitution. Section 18.5 of the Penal Code states that it is an infraction (which, pursuant to section 50.1 of the Penal Code is an offence that does not constitute a crime, and for which imprisonment is not authorized) to hire a prostitute to engage in sexual activities. The Committee therefore observed that, while procuring or offering a person below the age of 18 years for the purpose of prostitution constitutes a crime, pursuant to sections 18.5 and 50.1 of the Penal Code, a person who hires a prostitute below the age of 18 years of age is only guilty of an “infraction” and not a “crime”, and is not subject to the penalty of imprisonment. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures as a matter of urgency to ensure that the use of a person under the age of 18 for the purpose of prostitution is a criminal offence.
Pornography. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that section 74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the storing, keeping or distributing of indecent images of any child (or depicting any form of illegal sexual activity of a child). The Committee observed that this provision does not address the production of pornography, or more particularly the use, offering or procuring of a person under 18 for this purpose. The Government’s report also indicated that sections 74.1–74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the “sexual exploitation” of a child, though it is not indicated if this prohibition encompasses the use, procuring of offering of a child for the purpose of the production of pornography. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate if the definition of sexual exploitation in the Draft Children’s Act includes the use, offering or procuring of a child for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. If not, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that legislation prohibiting this worst form of child labour is adopted in the near future.
Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that, pursuant to section 76 of the Draft Children’s Act, exposing a child to narcotic and intoxicating drugs is strictly prohibited, as is selling them these substances. The Committee also noted the Government’s indication that a governmental drug enforcement agency (DEA) was established to fight against the trade and use of drugs in Liberia. The Government stated that the Act establishing the DEA forbids the trade and use of narcotic drugs by children less than 18 years. The Committee observed that the legislation referred to in the Government’s report does not explicitly prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years for illicit activities, particularly the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the sale and trafficking of narcotic drugs is under consideration for inclusion on a list of hazardous types of work prohibited for persons under 18. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 3(c) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of illicit activities is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit these activities. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the relevant legislation.
Clause (d). Hazardous work. The Committee noted the Government’s statement that section 52 of the Draft Children’s Act, when enacted, will “assure the right of the child to be protected from harmful work”, and that sections 52.1–52.2 state that it is an offence to subject a child to domestic, trade and other work that is likely to harm the child’s health, educational, spiritual, physical and moral development. The Committee also noted the statement in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that many school-aged children are engaged in economic activities or work in the home which may harm their health or safety (paragraph 40). Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Children’s Act, prohibiting hazardous work for children under 18 years of age, are adopted in the near future.
Article 4(1). Determination of hazardous work. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that a national Stakeholders’ Conference to “determine child labour by Liberian standards” was due to convene in November 2008. The Government’s report indicates that this Conference was expected to bring together a cross section of stakeholders including representatives of the Government, employers, workers, civil society and children, with the purpose of generating a concise definition of child labour in the national context, to facilitate the implementation of ILO Recommendation No. 190. However, the Committee noted an absence of information in the Government’s report on the outcome of this Conference. Nonetheless, the Committee noted the Government’s statement that, in determining types of work considered as hazardous, consideration will be given to the types of work enumerated in Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the completion and adoption of a list of hazardous types of work, in consultation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard, and to provide a copy of the list once adopted.
Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. National Commission on Child Labour. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that the National Commission on Child Labour (NACOMAL) was established in 2004 as a tripartite body, to coordinate the campaign for the elimination of child labour in Liberia. The NACOMAL is charged with the management, investigation and monitoring of child labour in the country, in addition to raising public awareness on the issue. In this regard, the Government’s report indicated that the NACOMAL has begun setting up tripartite Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CLMCs), and that the CLMCs include participation from a variety of civil society actors working in the interest of children. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement that there is a serious need for capacity building of the NACOMAL. The Government indicated that the NACOMAL currently lacks basic office essentials such as computer equipment, printers and photocopiers, and that its staff requires training. The Committee therefore requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to address the NACOMAL’s lack of capacity, including through the allocation of additional resources and the provision of training to its staff. The Committee also requests the Government to provide additional information on the practical functioning of the CLMCs, in addition to the number of CLMCs established.
Trafficking. The Committee noted the information in the UNODC Trafficking Report that a Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberian National Police was established in 2005, responsible for the investigation of cases of human trafficking. The Committee also noted in the Trafficking Report that the National Police rescued 50 Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Guinean child victims of trafficking from a religious school in Lofa, where they were being forced to beg. The Trafficking Report also indicated that the National Human Trafficking Task Force was established in 2006, and consists of government ministries (including the Ministry of Labour), the Inspector General of the Police, and the Commissioner of Immigration. The Trafficking Report further indicated that the Task Force plays a role in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes, and, in 2008, members of the Task Force accompanied the Liberia National Police on investigations. The Committee further noted the information from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that that the Government is participating in an IOM and UNMIL programme to train immigration officials on the identification of human trafficking victims.
Despite these mechanisms, the Committee observed that significant obstacles remain in the effective monitoring of child trafficking. The Committee noted the concerns raised in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Progress Made in the Situation of Human Rights in Liberia” (OHCHR Report) of 27 August 2009 regarding child trafficking due to porous land borders and inadequate staffing of regular crossing points by immigration officials. The Committee also noted the information in the Trafficking Report that Liberian police often lacked vehicles to respond to trafficking reports, that courts often lacked prosecutors (requiring police officers to play the role of prosecutor), and judges were often unaware of the law against trafficking. Therefore, while taking due note of the Government’s efforts to combat the trafficking of children, the Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure the effective monitoring and elimination of this phenomenon. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to strengthen the capacity of the Women and Children Protection Section (of the National Police), of immigration officials, and of the National Human Trafficking Task Force to combat the trafficking of children.
Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the Government’s indication that the NACOMAL has been implementing sensitization and awareness programmes on the issue of child labour. The Committee also noted the information in the ILO–IPEC Technical Progress Report (ILO–IPEC TPR) of September 2009 for the project “Project Development, Awareness Raising and Support for the Implementation of the Global Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016” that Liberia is a participant in this project, though activities in Liberia have not yet commenced. A central objective of this project is to launch a national process for formulating and drafting the National Action Plan on child labour, and the ILO–IPEC TPR indicates that these activities should commence in Liberia in 2010. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made towards the development and adoption of a national action programme on child labour, within the framework of cooperation with ILO–IPEC. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the awareness-raising activities of the NACOMAL, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour.
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. The Committee noted that, pursuant to section 194(3.1) of the Education Law, every parent must send their child between the ages of 6 and 16 to school regularly, provided that they have the means to meet the minimum requirements of a school. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement that in 2006 it commenced a policy of free and compulsory primary education, requiring parents to ensure that their children are enrolled in school. The Committee further noted that the Government has formulated the Education For All National Action Plan (EFA–NAP). In addition, the Committee noted the information in the Government’s report that it is collaborating with the International Rescue Committee in implementing a Countering Youth and Child Labour through Education programme (CYCLE). The Government’s report indicated that, under this programme, children are encouraged and supported to enrol in educational institutions, as a way of preventing or withdrawing them from child labour. The Government’s report indicated that approximately 15,000 children have been withdrawn or prevented from engaging in child labour through this programme, benefiting from academic support and skills and vocational training.
Nonetheless, the Committee noted the statement in the UNMIL document entitled “Report on the Human Rights Situation in Liberia, January – June 2009” (UNMIL Human Rights Report) that, despite the policy of free primary education, there are still insufficient schools to absorb all school-aged children, especially in rural communities, and that, where schools do exist, they are often ill-equipped with inadequate classroom furniture, school supplies and textbooks (paragraph 47). The Committee also noted the information in the 2010 UNESCO report entitled “Education For All: Global Monitoring Report” that the net enrolment rate in primary education was 31 per cent in 2007 (or approximately 447,000 out-of-school children), a decline from 42 per cent in 1999. While observing that the armed conflict in Liberia had a crippling effect on Liberia’s education system (information from UNICEF indicates that approximately 80 per cent of schools were destroyed during this period), the Committee expressed concern at the low rate of attendance at the primary level. Recalling 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 improve the functioning of the education system, within the framework of the EFA–NAP. It requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken in this regard, in addition to the impact of these measures, particularly with respect to increasing enrolment rates and decreasing drop-out rates at the primary-school level. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the CYCLE programme, including the number of children reached through this programme.
Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child victims of trafficking. The Committee noted that, pursuant to the agreement entitled “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa”, the Government agreed to withdraw, and assume responsibility for, child victims of trafficking found in Liberia, in addition to participating in the repatriation process of these children. The Committee also noted the information from the IOM that the Government is establishing a national referral system (with IOM support) that will identify, refer, protect and provide follow-up services for victims of human trafficking in Liberia. This referral system will also offer voluntary return and reintegration options for both foreign nationals found in the country and Liberian victims, assisted partly through the establishment of a pilot Return and Reintegration Fund. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the establishment of a national referral system for victims of trafficking and the role of this system in the identification and removal of child victims of trafficking. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of children benefiting from repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation services, once this system is established.
Child soldiers. The Committee noted the information in the Government’s report submitted to the CRC of 22 September 2003 that, following the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a National Veterans’ Programme was established to address the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers, in addition to collaboration with international organizations to provide trauma counselling, vocational skills training, literacy programmes and economic reintegration packages for these children (CRC/C/15/Add.21, paragraphs 222–225). The Committee also noted the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that more than 10,963 children (77 per cent boys and 23 per cent girls)were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UNMIL disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Committee further noted that UNICEF, as of 2006, operated a programme to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers, aiming to reach 5,445 demobilized children in seven counties.
The Committee noted that, in July 2009, the President officially closed the national disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programme, though notes that the IOM still operates a project in Lofa County to provide reintegration assistance to conflict-affected women and girls, with on-the-job vocational training, small business start-up grants, reinsertion kits and livelihood tools. The Committee encourages the Government to continue initiatives to rehabilitate former child soldiers to reduce and eliminate the possibility of re recruitment in any conflict in the region. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any ongoing programmes with a focus on the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children affected by conflict, in addition to the results achieved.
Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee noted that the CRC, in its concluding observations of 1 July 2004, expressed that it shared the Government’s concern about the prevalence of child prostitution, particularly in urban areas (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 62). The Committee also noted the information in the OHCHR report of 27 August 2009 that school aged children are engaged in commercial sexual exploitation (paragraph 25). It further noted the information in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that child prostitution is on the rise in Lofa County (paragraph 41). The Committee expresses its concern at reports that, in some regions of the country, the commercial sexual exploitation of children is increasing and requests the Government to take the necessary measures to provide for the removal, rehabilitation and social reintegration of child victims of prostitution.
Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Children deprived of family care (orphans). The Committee noted the UNICEF information that there are approximately 270 000 orphans in Liberia, due to armed conflict, HIV/AIDS (more than 17,000 children have been orphaned by this epidemic) and other diseases (particularly malaria). The Committee observed that these children are at an increased risk for becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee noted the information in the OHCHR report that orphans are at an increased vulnerability to child trafficking; this report indicates that, in June 2009, the Government closed down an orphanage in Grand Gedeh County due to links with child trafficking (paragraph 24). The Committee also noted the information in the 2007 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Orphanages” that many orphanages have poor record keeping, leaving children at an increased vulnerability to trafficking, and lack educational opportunities for orphans. Although the use of children to undertake the work of orphanage staff is prohibited, this report indicates that children residing in these institutions sometimes perform economically exploitative work, including working on farms connected with the orphanages. Noting the relatively large number of orphaned children in Liberia, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour. It further requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures implemented in this regard.
Children working on rubber plantations. The Committee noted the statement in the Government’s report that CLMCs have been established in seven key rubber plantations. However, the Committee noted the information in the 2006 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Rubber Plantations” that child labour is frequently used on rubber plantations, often under hazardous conditions (page 7). This UNMIL report documented injuries sustained by children performing work on rubber plantations with dangerous chemicals without safety equipment or prior training, and that these children lacked access to educational facilities. This report also indicated that, although child labour is prohibited on many plantations, the plantation companies interviewed in the study admitted that they did not effectively monitor this phenomenon. In addition, the Committee noted the information in the UN Common Country Assessment on Liberia (UN CCA) of June 2006 that, following the end of the conflict in the country, significant levels of human rights violations have emanated from a number of rubber plantations throughout Liberia, including forced labour and child labour, allegedly perpetrated by ex-combatants occupying the plantations for economic gain (page 26). The UN CCA indicates that the UN established a special Task Force on Rubber Plantations to address these problems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken by the Task Force on Rubber Plantations to protect children working on rubber plantations from forced labour and hazardous work. It also requests the Government to provide additional information on the role of the CLMCs on rubber plantations in preventing this phenomenon.
Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. The Committee noted that the “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa” signed by Liberia and seven other countries of the region in 2005 (submitted with the Government’s report), binds the Government to take measures with regard to the prevention of child trafficking, and the protection, repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims. The Committee also noted that the agreement obligates the Government to cooperate with other States in the region to address this phenomenon and establishes a Permanent Regional Monitoring Commission on Child Trafficking. The Committee further noted the information in the Trafficking Report that children are trafficked to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, and from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Nigeria for domestic servitude, street vending, sexual exploitation, agricultural labour and forced begging. In light of this information, the Committee urges the Government to continue its regional cooperation efforts to ensure that persons under 18 are protected from trafficking. It requests the Government to provide information on concrete measures taken pursuant to the Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa, and on the results achieved.
Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee noted the Government’s statement that it has encountered difficulties in the application of the Convention, identifying gaps in legislation, the limited capacity of the NACOMAL and the delay in ratifying Convention No. 138 as particular constraints. The Committee noted these difficulties and, with regard to gaps in legislation, reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance, to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in Liberia, and to provide information on the worst forms of child labour, including copies or extracts from official documents including inspection reports, studies and inquiries, and information on the nature, extent and trends of those forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penal sanctions applied.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has drafted a Children’s Act (Draft Children’s Act) which prohibits various forms of child abuse, including the worst forms of child labour. The Government indicates that the Draft Children’s Act was adopted by the Assembly in February 2009, and is currently in front of the Senate. The Committee notes the extracts of the Draft Children’s Act provided in the Government’s report, though it notes that the Government’s report does not contain the provisions defining the term “child” for the purpose of the Act. The Committee therefore reminds the Government that the protection against the worst forms of child labour in Article 3 of the Convention extends to all persons under the age of 18 and expresses the hope that the protection provided by the Draft Children’s Act will be in conformity with the Convention in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Children’s Act, once adopted.

Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. 1. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes that section 2 of the Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons 2005 (Trafficking Act) prohibits all forms of trafficking, defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of a threat or use of force or coercion or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by giving or receiving of payments to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation. Section 5 of the Trafficking Act also prohibits conspiring to, assisting in, or attempting to engage in trafficking of persons. The Committee further notes that section 7(c) of the Trafficking Act provides for a harsher penalty when the victim of this offence is under the age of 18 years. Lastly, the Committee notes that section 78 of the Draft Children’s Act provides that “[a]ny person, convicted under the Trafficking Law or any penal law prohibiting the abduction or trafficking of children shall be placed on a child offender’s register and not allowed to render direct work services to children.”

The Committee notes the information in the 2009 report on trafficking in persons in Liberia, available on the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees web site (www.unhcr.org) (Trafficking Report) that Liberia is a source, transit and destination country for child trafficking, for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. The Trafficking Report also indicates that most victims are trafficked within the country, primarily from rural to urban areas for domestic servitude, forced street vending, forced begging by religious instructors and sexual exploitation in brothels or private apartments, in addition to work on rubber plantations and in alluvial diamond mines. The Committee also notes the information in the 2009 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report entitled “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons” (UNODC Trafficking Report) indicates that the Government recorded eight child trafficking victims in 2005, and nine in 2006, both boys and girls. However, the UNODC Trafficking Report indicates that no convictions for trafficking were recorded during this period. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Trafficking Act prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children are, in practice, applied. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information the application of these provisions, including, in particular, statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by sex and age.

2. Slavery, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour. The Committee notes that article 12 of the Constitution of Liberia provides that “[n]o person shall be held in slavery or forced labour within the Republic, nor shall any citizen of Liberia nor any person resident therein deal in slaves or subject any other person to forced labour, debt bondage or peonage”, with the exception of court orders, military service or during times of emergency. The Committee also notes that the Trafficking Act, pursuant to sections 1 and 2, prohibits trafficking for the purpose of forced labour.

Nonetheless, the Committee refers to its 2005 comments concerning the Government’s application of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), where the Committee noted reports of children being taken hostage by adults and used as a source of captive labour in the south-eastern part of Liberia. The Committee noted that this part of the country was in a grave humanitarian crisis and an extreme state of poverty and that the reported situations of exploitation were due to the consequences of the war. In its 2008 observation concerning the Government’s report submitted under Convention No. 29, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that, in May 2008, a tripartite national committee was under consideration to investigate the complaints of forced labour and the hostage situation in the south-eastern region. Referring to its comments made under Convention No. 29, the Committee requests the Government to provide up to date information on the activities of the tripartite committee responsible for this investigation of forced labour, and to provide information on any other measures taken to protect persons under 18 years of age from forced labour.

3. Forced recruitment of children in armed conflict. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that section 54 of the Draft Children’s Act forbids the use of children in armed conflict, and that sections 54.1–54.6 prohibit recruiting or conscripting a child into military service or to use a landmine and other weapons declared by international law to be adverse to children.

The Committee notes the information in the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1 July 2004, that, prior to the signing of the Liberian Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2003, up to 20,000 children were involved in the armed conflict (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 5). It notes the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that the majority of these children were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Security Council Report on Child Soldiers indicates that, as of 2006, there was no known group that uses or recruits child soldiers or former child soldiers (paragraph 55), though the Committee notes that the 13th progress report of the Secretary-General on the UNMIL (of 11 December 2006) expressed concerns regarding the possible re-recruitment of former Liberian combatants, including children, by Ivorian militia groups (S/2006/958, paragraph 12). Recalling that the forced recruitment of children for the use in armed conflict constitutes one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that this practice is prohibited by law. In this regard, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the provisions contained in the Children’s Act prohibiting the use of children in armed conflict in the very near future.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, pornography or pornographic performances. 1. Prostitution. The Committee notes that, pursuant to section 18.1 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour (defined in section 50.1 of the Penal Code as an offence for which a sentence of a maximum of one year’s imprisonment is authorized) to operate a prostitution business, or to induce, procure or otherwise purposely cause another to become engaged in sexual activity as a business. Pursuant to section 18.2 of the Penal Code, it is a misdemeanour to knowingly procure a prostitute for a patron, solicit a person to patronize a prostitute or live off the proceeds of prostitution. Section 18.5 of the Penal Code states that it is an infraction (which, pursuant to section 50.1 of the Penal Code is an offence that does not constitute a crime, and for which imprisonment is not authorized) to hire a prostitute to engage in sexual activities. The Committee therefore observes that, while procuring or offering a person below the age of 18 years for the purpose of prostitution constitutes a crime, pursuant to sections 18.5 and 50.1 of the Penal Code, a person who hires a prostitute below the age of 18 years of age is only guilty of an “infraction” and not a “crime”, and is not subject to the penalty of imprisonment. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures as a matter of urgency to ensure that the use of a person under the age of 18 for the purpose of prostitution is a criminal offence.

2. Pornography. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that section 74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the storing, keeping or distributing of indecent images of any child (or depicting any form of illegal sexual activity of a child). The Committee observes that this provision does not address the production of pornography, or more particularly the use, offering or procuring of a person under 18 for this purpose. The Government’s report also indicates that sections 74.1–74.5 of the Draft Children’s Act prohibits the “sexual exploitation” of a child, though it is not indicated if this prohibition encompasses the use, procuring of offering of a child for the purpose of the production of pornography. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate if the definition of sexual exploitation in the Draft Children’s Act includes the use, offering or procuring of a child for the production of pornography or pornographic performances. If not, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that legislation prohibiting this worst form of child labour is adopted in the near future.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that, pursuant to section 76 of the Draft Children’s Act, exposing a child to narcotic and intoxicating drugs is strictly prohibited, as is selling them these substances. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that a governmental drug enforcement agency (DEA) was established to fight against the trade and use of drugs in Liberia. The Government states that the Act establishing the DEA forbids the trade and use of narcotic drugs by children less than 18 years. The Committee observes that the legislation referred to in the Government’s report does not explicitly prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years for illicit activities, particularly the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the sale and trafficking of narcotic drugs is under consideration for inclusion on a list of hazardous types of work prohibited for persons under 18. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 3(c) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of illicit activities is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit these activities. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the relevant legislation.

Clause (d). Hazardous work. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that section 52 of the Draft Children’s Act, when enacted, will
“assure the right of the child to be protected from harmful work”, and that
sections 52.1–52.2 state that it is an offence to subject a child to domestic, trade and other work that is likely to harm the child’s health, educational, spiritual, physical and moral development. The Committee also notes the statement in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that many school-aged children are engaged in economic activities or work in the home which may harm their health or safety (paragraph 40). Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Children’s Act, prohibiting hazardous work for children under 18 years of age, are adopted in the near future.

Article 4(1). Determination of hazardous work. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that a national Stakeholders’ Conference to “determine child labour by Liberian standards” was due to convene in November 2008. The Government’s report indicates that this Conference was expected to bring together a cross section of stakeholders including representatives of the Government, employers, workers, civil society and children, with the purpose of generating a concise definition of child labour in the national context, to facilitate the implementation of ILO Recommendation No. 190. However, the Committee notes an absence of information in the Government’s report on the outcome of this Conference. Nonetheless, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that, in determining types of work considered as hazardous, consideration will be given to the types of work enumerated in Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 190. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the completion and adoption of a list of hazardous types of work, in consultation with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard, and to provide a copy of the list once adopted.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. 1. National Commission on Child Labour. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that the National Commission on Child Labour (NACOMAL) was established in 2004 as a tripartite body, to coordinate the campaign for the elimination of child labour in Liberia. The NACOMAL is charged with the management, investigation and monitoring of child labour in the country, in addition to raising public awareness on the issue. In this regard, the Government’s report indicates that the NACOMAL has begun setting up tripartite Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CLMCs), and that the CLMCs include participation from a variety of civil society actors working in the interest of children. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that there is a serious need for capacity building of the NACOMAL. The Government indicates that the NACOMAL currently lacks basic office essentials such as computer equipment, printers and photocopiers, and that its staff requires training. The Committee therefore requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to address the NACOMAL’s lack of capacity, including through the allocation of additional resources and the provision of training to its staff. The Committee also requests the Government to provide additional information on the practical functioning of the CLMCs, in addition to the number of CLMCs established.

2. Trafficking. The Committee notes the information in the UNODC Trafficking Report that a Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberian National Police was established in 2005, responsible for the investigation of cases of human trafficking. The Committee also notes in the Trafficking Report that the National Police rescued 50 Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Guinean child victims of trafficking from a religious school in Lofa, where they were being forced to beg. The Trafficking Report also indicates that the National Human Trafficking Task Force was established in 2006, and consists of government ministries (including the Ministry of Labour), the Inspector General of the Police, and the Commissioner of Immigration. The Trafficking Report further indicates that the Task Force plays a role in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes, and, in 2008, members of the Task Force accompanied the Liberia National Police on investigations. The Committee further notes the information from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that that the Government is participating in an IOM and UNMIL programme to train immigration officials on the identification of human trafficking victims.

Despite these mechanisms, the Committee observes that significant obstacles remain in the effective monitoring of child trafficking. The Committee notes the concerns raised in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Progress Made in the Situation of Human Rights in Liberia” (OHCHR Report) of 27 August 2009 regarding child trafficking due to porous land borders and inadequate staffing of regular crossing points by immigration officials. The Committee also notes the information in the Trafficking Report that Liberian police often lacked vehicles to respond to trafficking reports, that courts often lacked prosecutors (requiring police officers to play the role of prosecutor), and judges were often unaware of the law against trafficking. Therefore, while taking due note of the Government’s efforts to combat the trafficking of children, the Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure the effective monitoring and elimination of this phenomenon. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to strengthen the capacity of the Women and Children Protection Section (of the National Police), of immigration officials, and of the National Human Trafficking Task Force to combat the trafficking of children.

Article 6. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the NACOMAL has been implementing sensitization and awareness programmes on the issue of child labour. The Committee also notes the information in the ILO–IPEC Technical Progress Report (ILO–IPEC TPR) of September 2009 for the project “Project Development, Awareness Raising and Support for the Implementation of the Global Action Plan on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016” that Liberia is a participant in this project, though activities in Liberia have not yet commenced. A central objective of this project is to launch a national process for formulating and drafting the National Action Plan on child labour, and the ILO–IPEC TPR indicates that these activities should commence in Liberia in 2010. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made towards the development and adoption of a national action programme on child labour, within the framework of cooperation with ILO–IPEC. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the awareness-raising activities of the NACOMAL, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour.

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. The Committee notes that, pursuant to section 194(3.1) of the Education Law, every parent must send their child between the ages of 6 and 16 to school regularly, provided that they have the means to meet the minimum requirements of a school. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that in 2006 it commenced a policy of free and compulsory primary education, requiring parents to ensure that their children are enrolled in school. The Committee further notes that the Government has formulated the Education For All National Action Plan (EFA–NAP). In addition, the Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that it is collaborating with the International Rescue Committee in implementing a Countering Youth and Child Labour through Education programme (CYCLE). The Government’s report indicates that, under this programme, children are encouraged and supported to enrol in educational institutions, as a way of preventing or withdrawing them
from child labour. The Government’s report indicates that approximately 15,000 children have been withdrawn or prevented from engaging in child labour through this programme, benefiting from academic support and skills and vocational training.

Nonetheless, the Committee notes the statement in the UNMIL document entitled “Report on the Human Rights Situation in Liberia, January – June 2009” (UNMIL Human Rights Report) that, despite the policy of free primary education, there are still insufficient schools to absorb all school-aged children, especially in rural communities, and that, where schools do exist, they are often ill-equipped with inadequate classroom furniture, school supplies and textbooks (paragraph 47). The Committee also notes the information in the 2010 UNESCO report entitled “Education For All: Global Monitoring Report” that the net enrolment rate in primary education was 31 per cent in 2007 (or approximately 447,000 out-of-school children), a decline from 42 per cent in 1999. While observing that the armed conflict in Liberia had a crippling effect on Liberia’s education system (information from UNICEF indicates that approximately 80 per cent of schools were destroyed during this period), the Committee expresses concern at the low rate of attendance at the primary level. Recalling 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 improve the functioning of the education system, within the framework of the EFA–NAP. It requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken in this regard, in addition to the impact of these measures, particularly with respect to increasing enrolment rates and decreasing drop-out rates at the primary-school level. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the CYCLE programme, including the number of children reached through this programme.

Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. 
1. Child victims of trafficking. The Committee notes that, pursuant to the agreement entitled “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa”, the Government agreed to withdraw, and assume responsibility for, child victims of trafficking found in Liberia, in addition to participating in the repatriation process of these children. The Committee also notes the information from the IOM that the Government is establishing a national referral system (with IOM support) that will identify, refer, protect and provide follow-up services for victims of human trafficking in Liberia. This referral system will also offer voluntary return and reintegration options for both foreign nationals found in the country and Liberian victims, assisted partly through the establishment of a pilot Return and Reintegration Fund. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the establishment of a national referral system for victims of trafficking and the role of this system in the identification and removal of child victims of trafficking. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of children benefiting from repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation services, once this system is established.

2. Child soldiers. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report submitted to the CRC of 22 September 2003 that, following the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a National Veterans’ Programme was established to address the rehabilitation and reintegration of former
child soldiers, in addition to collaboration with international organizations to provide trauma counselling, vocational skills training, literacy programmes and economic reintegration packages for these children (CRC/C/15/Add.21, paragraphs 222–225). The Committee also notes the information in the October 2006 Security Council Report on Child Soldiers (A/61/529–S/2006/826) that more than 10,963 children (77 per cent boys and 23 per cent girls)were demobilized in 2004 and 2005 through the UNMIL disarmament and demobilization programme (paragraph 56). The Committee further notes that UNICEF, as of 2006, operated a programme to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers, aiming to reach 5,445 demobilized children in seven counties.

The Committee notes that, in July 2009, the President officially closed the national disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programme, though notes that the IOM still operates a project in Lofa County to provide reintegration assistance to conflict-affected women and girls, with on-the-job vocational training, small business start-up grants, reinsertion kits and livelihood tools. The Committee encourages the Government to continue initiatives to rehabilitate former child soldiers to reduce and eliminate the possibility of re-recruitment in any conflict in the region. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any ongoing programmes with a focus on the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children affected by conflict, in addition to the results achieved.

3. Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee notes that the CRC, in its concluding observations of 1 July 2004, expressed that it shared the Government’s concern about the prevalence of child prostitution, particularly in urban areas (CRC/C/15/Add.236, paragraph 62). The Committee also notes the information in the OHCHR report of 27 August 2009 that school‑aged children are engaged in commercial sexual exploitation (paragraph 25). It further notes the information in the UNMIL Human Rights Report that child prostitution is on the rise in Lofa County (paragraph 41). The Committee expresses its concern at reports that, in some regions of the country, the commercial sexual exploitation of children is increasing and requests the Government to take the necessary measures to provide for the removal, rehabilitation and social reintegration of child victims of prostitution.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk.
1. Children deprived of family care (orphans). The Committee notes the UNICEF information that there are approximately 270 000 orphans in Liberia, due to armed conflict, HIV/AIDS (more than 17,000 children have been orphaned by this epidemic) and other diseases (particularly malaria). The Committee observes that these children are at an increased risk for becoming engaged in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the information in the OHCHR report that orphans are at an increased vulnerability to child trafficking; this report indicates that, in June 2009, the Government closed down an orphanage in Grand Gedeh County due to links with child trafficking (paragraph 24). The Committee also notes the information in the 2007 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Orphanages” that many orphanages have poor record keeping, leaving children at an increased vulnerability to trafficking, and lack educational opportunities for orphans. Although the use of children to undertake the work of orphanage staff is prohibited, this report indicates that children residing in these institutions sometimes perform economically exploitative work, including working on farms connected with the orphanages. Noting the relatively large number of orphaned children in Liberia, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure their protection from the worst forms of child labour. It further requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures implemented in this regard.

2. Children working on rubber plantations. The Committee notes the statement in the Government’s report that CLMCs have been established in seven key rubber plantations. However, the Committee notes the information in the 2006 UNMIL report entitled “Human Rights in Liberia’s Rubber Plantations” that child labour is frequently used on rubber plantations, often under hazardous conditions (page 7). This UNMIL report documented injuries sustained by children performing work on rubber plantations with dangerous chemicals without safety equipment or prior training, and that these children lacked access to educational facilities. This report also indicated that, although child labour is prohibited on many plantations, the plantation companies interviewed in the study admitted that they did not effectively monitor this phenomenon. In addition, the Committee notes the information in the UN Common Country Assessment on Liberia (UN CCA) of June 2006 that, following the end of the conflict in the country, significant levels of human rights violations have emanated from a number of rubber plantations throughout Liberia, including forced labour and child labour, allegedly perpetrated by ex-combatants occupying the plantations for economic gain (page 26). The UN CCA indicates that the UN established a special Task Force on Rubber Plantations to address these problems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken by the Task Force on Rubber Plantations to protect children working on rubber plantations from forced labour and hazardous work. It also requests the Government to provide additional information on the role of the CLMCs on rubber plantations in preventing this phenomenon.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. The Committee notes that the “Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa” signed by Liberia and seven other countries of the region in 2005 (submitted with the Government’s report), binds the Government to take measures with regard to the prevention of child trafficking, and the protection, repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims. The Committee also notes that the agreement obligates the Government to cooperate with other States in the region to address this phenomenon and establishes a Permanent Regional Monitoring Commission on Child Trafficking. The Committee further notes the information in the Trafficking Report that children are trafficked to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, and from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Nigeria for domestic servitude, street vending, sexual exploitation, agricultural labour and forced begging. In light of this information, the Committee urges the Government to continue its regional cooperation efforts to ensure that persons under 18 are protected from trafficking. It requests the Government to provide information on concrete measures taken pursuant to the Multilateral Cooperation Agreement to Combat Child Trafficking in West Africa, and on the results achieved.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it has encountered difficulties in the application of the Convention, identifying gaps in legislation, the limited capacity of the NACOMAL and the delay in ratifying Convention No. 138 as particular constraints. The Committee notes these difficulties and, with regard to gaps in legislation, reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance, to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in Liberia, and to provide information on the worst forms of child labour, including copies or extracts from official documents including inspection reports, studies and inquiries, and information on the nature, extent and trends of those forms of child labour, the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the number and nature of infringements reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penal sanctions applied.

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