Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - United Arab Emirates (Ratification: 2001)

Articles 3 and 7(1) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour and penalties. Clause (a). Slavery and practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. Following its previous comments, the Committee takes due note of the information provided by the Government, in its report, regarding the cases of child trafficking during the period 2020–22. The Committee observes that, in that timeframe, 13 cases were prosecuted (nine involving sexual exploitation and four involving forced labour and begging) leading to convictions in 12 cases and one acquittal. The Committee observes that penalties of imprisonment were imposed on the perpetrators in every case, and that in most cases, they were also punished by fines, confiscation of money or goods, and/or expulsion. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking identified, as well as on investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penal sanctions applied for violations of the legal prohibition on the sale and trafficking of children under the Federal Law of 2016 on Combatting Crimes of Human Trafficking.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing children from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour. Online child exploitation. The Committee takes note of the Government’s information regarding the measures taken to combat the online dangers for children, in order to prevent them from falling prey to such criminal aims as grooming and sexual exploitation. In particular, the Committee takes note of the Child Digital Safety Initiative, under which were undertaken awareness-raising, proactive investigations and training of persons specialized in detection and gathering of information. Moreover, a digital well-being support line has been launched by the Ministry of Interior with the aim of supporting families and guardians to protect their children and enhance their digital well-being. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved through the Child Digital Safety Initiative and digital well-being support line, in terms of number of children at risk of online exploitation who benefited from these measures and were thus prevented from falling into the worst forms of child labour.

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 for sexual exploitation. Following its previous comments, the Committee takes due note of the Government’s information regarding its efforts towards the protection and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking, including children. In particular, the Committee notes: (1) that the Aman Centre for Women and Children received two girls aged 14 and a 17 year-old boy who were victims of trafficking and/or exploitation, and endeavours to equip victims with a thorough understanding and awareness of this crime; (2) that the Abu Dhabi Centre for Sheltering and Humanitarian Care (EWAA Centre) received two child victims of sexual exploitation in 2021 who underwent medical check-ups, psychological rehabilitation, recreational activities, reintegration and repatriation. One child victim was received in 2023 who is still undergoing rehabilitation; and (3) the number of cases of maltreatment of children received by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children. These include 6 child victims of trafficking in 2019 (among 69 children received for maltreatment), and three child victims of sale for sexual purposes in 2020 (among 64 children received for maltreatment). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking who have been received in shelters, provided with rehabilitation services and socially integrated.