Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Denmark (Ratification: 2000)

Article 7, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Providing the necessary and appropriate 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 had previously requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking of Children and Young People, especially with regard to the measures to protect and recover child victims of trafficking. It also requested the Government to provide information on any progress towards the adoption of the new plan of action to combat trafficking. The Committee notes the Government’s information on the Action Plan to Fight Trafficking in Human Beings 2007–10 (2007–10 Action Plan). The Committee notes that the 2007–10 Action Plan focuses on four areas for action: strengthening investigation efforts in order to identify and bring traffickers to justice; supporting the victims of trafficking by improving social services in Denmark; preventing human trafficking by limiting demand; and increasing the population’s knowledge of these matters and preventing human trafficking by improving international cooperation including improving preventative work in the exporting countries. The Committee notes that 80 million Danish kroner (DKK) have been earmarked for the implementation of the initiatives of the 2007–10 Action Plan. The Committee also notes the copy of the status report of the 2007–10 Action Plan included with the Government’s report. The Committee notes in particular the sections outlining the measures taken to protect child victims of trafficking, including the appointment of special representatives for these children and measures to help find their parents. The Committee also notes the Government’s information on the establishment of the Danish Anti-Trafficking Centre which, in 2008, identified 72 victims or suspected victims of human trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on programmes aimed at the elimination of child trafficking. The Committee also requests that the Government provide information on the number of children withdrawn from trafficking pursuant to the implementation of the Action Plan to Fight Trafficking in Human Beings 2007–10.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. The Committee notes the information available on the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark that the Ministry is implementing a programme to combat human trafficking in Eastern Europe for the period 2009–11 with a total allocation of DKK29.5 million. The Committee notes that this programme focuses on Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. The Committee further notes that, according to the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2008 for Denmark, available on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees web site (www.unchr.org), the Government contributed $800,000 in 2008 to assist and rehabilitate child victims of commercial sexual abuse in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee takes note of the detailed statistical data from the Danish Working Environment Authority provided in the Government’s report. In particular, it notes that, according to this data, from 2005 to May 2008, the Danish Working Environment Authority has reacted to 806 incidents relating to the violation of rules on young people’s work. According to this data, in 2006, there were 590 occupational accidents regarding young persons under 18 years, of which 482 affected persons between 16 and 17 years. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that from 2006 and 2007 there were eight criminal cases for the violation of health and safety guidelines for young workers. The Committee notes that this resulted in three judgements and the issuing of five fines outside the court system. The Committee also takes note of the statistical data regarding the number of young persons with occupational employment disaggregated by age and gender. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing statistics and information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number and nature of infringements, investigations, prosecutions and convictions.