Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Côte d'Ivoire (Ratification: 2003)

Articles 3(d) and 7(2)(a) and (b) of the Convention. Hazardous work, preventing children from being engaged in and removing them from the worst forms of child labour. Children in agriculture, in particular the cocoa sector. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the adoption in June 2017 of Order No. 2017-017 determining the list of hazardous types of work prohibited for children under 18 years of age, prohibiting hazardous work in several agricultural branches. The Committee nonetheless noted that the National Plan of Action to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2015–17 (PAN-PFTE 2015–17), which refers to the 2014 report on the situation of child labour in Côte d’Ivoire, indicates that the number of children subjected to hazardous types of work in the agricultural sector is 189,427, with a total of 105,699 children between the ages of 14 and 17.

The Committee notes the review of the implementation of the PAN-PFTE 2015–2017, according to which the majority of the interventions were registered in the agriculture sector, specifically the cocoa sector, that is 64 per cent of the initiatives carried out in the context of the plan. This involves mainly programmes for supporting cocoa sustainability or productivity, certification, child labour monitoring and remediation systems, improving the living conditions of cocoa-producing communities, and improving children’s access to education. Further, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report submitted under the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) that the Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System (SSRTE), implemented by the cocoa and chocolate industry, is operational in Côte d’Ivoire and enables the identification and referral of children at risk or victims of labour in the cocoa agriculture sector.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the implementation of the Third National Plan of Action to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2019–21 (PAN-PFTE 2019–21) reflects Côte d’Ivoire’s firm commitment to intensify its efforts to combat child labour by tackling the root causes of the phenomenon, including the poverty of cocoa farming households. Specific objectives of the PAN-PFTE 2019–21include strengthening the implementation of international commitments made by Côte d’Ivoire, such as those of the 2001 Harkin-Engel Protocol, which aimed to reduce child labour in cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire by 70 per cent by 2020, and target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for the elimination of child labour by 2025. The PAN-PFTE 2019–21 also envisages addressing new challenges that hamper the country’s efforts to combat child labour, including the issue of traceability of the cocoa supply chain to track the product’s route from field to market. While noting the efforts made by the Government, the Committee encourages it to intensify its efforts to prevent children under 18 years from engaging in hazardous work, in particular in the cocoa agriculture sector. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the PAN-PFTE 2019–21, particularly regarding the number of children removed from hazardous work in cocoa agriculture and subsequently rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide any data collected by the SSRTE on the number of children engaged in this worst form of child labour, disaggregated as much as possible by age and gender.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. Child HIV/AIDS orphans. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the 2016 estimates published by UNAIDS gave the figure of 320,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) due to HIV/AIDS in the country and that the Government, with the support of UNAIDS, had established a National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2016–20 covering care and support for OVC and their families.

The Committee notes the Government’s information regarding the results achieved through the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2016–20, particularly: (i) the revision of the national policy document on care and support for OVC (June 2018); and (ii) the establishment of a comprehensive package of medical, psychosocial, physical, socioeconomic, legal, food and nutrition care and support services for the well-being and survival of persons living with HIV, carers and OVC. The Government also indicates several measures and strategies adopted to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, including free antiretroviral treatment since 2008 and all measures offered to persons living with HIV since 2019. The Committee notes, however, that, according to UNAIDS estimates, the number of OVC due to HIV/AIDS stood at 340,000 in 2020. Recalling that children who are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS are at particular risk of being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to step up its efforts to protect against the worst forms of labour, especially within the framework of the national policy on care and support for OVC, as well as other measures adopted by the Government. It requests it to continue to provide information on the measures taken in this respect and the results achieved.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.