Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 7(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 noted the Government’s information on the Action Plan to Fight Trafficking in Human Beings 2007–10 (2007–10 Action Plan). The Committee noted 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 noted that 80 million Danish kroner (DKK) have been earmarked for the implementation of the initiatives of the 2007–10 Action Plan. The Committee also noted the copy of the status report of the 2007–10 Action Plan included with the Government’s report. The Committee noted 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 noted 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.

Parts IV and V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee took note of the detailed statistical data from the Danish Working Environment Authority provided in the Government’s report. In particular, it noted 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 noted 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 noted that this resulted in three judgements and the issuing of five fines outside the court system. The Committee also took 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.