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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Guernsey

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that the Sexual Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 came into force on 1 March 2022. The Committee notes that, under Chapter XVI of the Law, section 82 makes it an offence to traffic a person for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Under section 82(6), a person guilty of such an offence is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years (or a fine not exceeding level 5) on summary conviction or for a term not exceeding 14 years on conviction on indictment. The Committee takes due note of the introduction of a clear definition and prohibition of trafficking for sexual exploitation of all persons, which includes all children under the age of 18 years (and not only those under 16 years, as previously provided). However, it notes with regret that the legislation still does not prohibit trafficking of children for labour exploitation. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take all necessary measures to prohibit the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age for labour exploitation. It also requests the Government to provide information on any investigations and prosecutions carried out and sanctions imposed for offences related to the trafficking of children for the purpose of sexual exploitation under section 82 of the Sexual Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.