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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Tajikistan (Ratification: 2005)

Previous comments: observation and direct request

Article 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Government’s Decree No. 169 of 2014 establishing the list of the hazardous types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report on the Medical Examination of Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1946 (No. 77), that no cases of work performed by children under the age of 18 were identified during the 2,090 inspections carried out by the State Service for Inspections in the Sphere of Labour and Employment (SILME) in 2022. The Committee further notes that the National Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons for 2022–24 provides for the measures to regularly update the national list of the hazardous types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age, elaborate methodological recommendations on the application of the national list and conduct inspections. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the elaboration of methodological recommendations on the application of the national list of the hazardous types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age. It further requests the Government to provide information on any violations identified with respect to the application of the Government Decree No. 169 of 2014 and penalties imposed to perpetrators.

Article 6. Programmes of action. National Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons. The Committee notes that Chapter 4 of the National Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons 2022–24, adopted by the Government’s Decree No. 55 of 2022, sets out various measures to prevent and combat trafficking of children. These measures include, among others, carrying out a study on combating child trafficking and developing proposals to improve legislation on the protection of children’s rights and the prevention of the worst forms of child labour. According to the Government, the competent public bodies shall provide their reports on the implementation of the National Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons every six months. The Government also indicates that during the period 2017–2022, 61 cases were identified under section 167 (child trafficking) of the Criminal Code.

The Committee further notes that in her 2022 report, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, expressed concern about the limited action taken to prevent the trafficking of children with disabilities, children belonging to minority groups, and children in street situations (paragraphs 52–53). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any assessment of the implementation of Chapter 4 of the National Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons 2022–24, with regard to preventing and combating trafficking of children, including children who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of trafficking. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed under section 167 of the Criminal Code.

National Programme to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. The Committee notes the Government’s information regarding the successful implementation of the National Action Programme (NAP) to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour for 2015–20. The Government further indicates that the Inter-Agency Coordination Council for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour makes proposals and recommendations on the implementation of the State policy on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and coordinates the work of public bodies in this regard. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide more concrete information on the evaluation of the NAP to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour for 2015–20. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on any new programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour designed and implemented, in consultation with relevant government institutions and employers’ and workers’ organizations.

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 victims of trafficking. The Committee notes the Government’s information that 61 child victims of trafficking were identified and provided with medical, psychological, and legal assistance between 2017 and 2022. The Government also indicates that the National Centre for Social Services for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and Victims of Domestic Violence provided 22 child victims with the necessary assistance. In accordance with section 62 of the National Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons for 2022–24, the elaboration and adoption of the procedure for the provision of social assistance services to child victims is scheduled for 2023. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking who have been identified and who have benefited from the social assistance services, as well as on the types of services provided. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the procedure for the provision of social assistance services to child victims, once adopted.