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

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Samoa (Ratification: 2008)

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Article 1 of the Convention. National policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour and application in practice of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that the National Child Care and Protection Policy 2020–30 was adopted. The Policy’s objective is to protect children from all forms of abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence, and provide them with equitable access to services to support their reintegration and recovery when necessary. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) is conducting an important review to amend the Policy and broaden its scope to cover not only childcare and child protection, but all matters and concerns pertaining to children in Samoa.

The Committee further takes note of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019–20 Findings Report, published in 2021, which indicates that, of the surveyed children, 22.3 per cent of children aged 5 to 17 years were engaged in child labour. More specifically, 13.9 per cent of children aged 5 to 14 years were either engaged in an economic activity or household chores above the age specific thresholds and 14.3 per cent of children aged 5 to 17 years were engaged in hazardous work. The Committee requests the Government to pursue its efforts to progressively eliminate child labour, including in hazardous work. It requests the Government to continue providing information on: (i) the specific measures taken in this regard, including within the framework of the National Child Care and Protection Policy 2020–30; and (ii) the results achieved, including by providing updated statistical data on the nature and trends of child labour.