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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Sudan (Ratification: 2003)

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

Article 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that within the framework of the ILO–IPEC project “Tackling child labour through education” (TACKLE Project), the Child Labour Unit was taking the lead on the development of the list of types of hazardous work. In January 2012, the National Steering Committee had endorsed a list of hazardous activities and the list was awaiting ministerial decree.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report under the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138) that a committee has been established pursuant to Administrative decision No.22 of 2018 from the Ministry of Labour and the relevant authorities to review the draft list of hazardous activities. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to Article 3(2) of the Convention, the types of hazardous work shall be determined by national laws or regulations or by the competent authority, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the Government will take the necessary measures without delay to ensure that the legal provisions determining the types of hazardous work to be prohibited for persons under 18 years of age will be adopted, in the very near future. It requests the Government to provide a copy of the list, once adopted.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that according to the Country Analysis of the United Nations Country Team, the thousands of children living on the streets in Sudan still constituted the largest group of separated and unaccompanied children in the country. It also noted some of the measures taken by the Government to address the situation of street children, including the development of a national policy, establishing a database on children separated from their families, establishing a strong social welfare system and income generating projects for poor families. The Committee requested the Government to continue its efforts to protect children living and working on the street.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that in January 2018, a draft study analysing the current situation and the prospects of children in Sudan has been developed by the National Council for Child Welfare with a view to formulate the national strategy for children 2030 and its implementation plan. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the findings of the study on the situation and prospects of children in Sudan as well as the information on the national strategy developed thereafter. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to address the situation of street children, including removing and protecting them from the worst forms of child labour and providing for their rehabilitation and social integration.