Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Comoros (Ratification: 2004)

Article 6 of the Convention.Programmes of action. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a new national child protection policy has been adopted. However, the Committee notes the absence of information on the measures taken to combat the worst forms of child labour, whether in the context of the new national child protection policy or that of 2016–21. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information on the specific measures taken under the national child protection policy to combat the worst forms of child labour, including trafficking for sexual or economic exploitation, and on the results achieved.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. The Committee notes from the 2022 multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) that: (1) 88 per cent of children attended primary school and 62 per cent attended lower secondary school; (2) the lower secondary school attendance rate varies significantly between girls and boys (69 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively), rural and urban areas (58 per cent and 73 per cent, respectively) and between the wealthiest and the poorest (80 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively); and (3) the school completion rate is 82 per cent at primary level and 60 per cent at lower secondary level, again with significant differences between regions and economic levels.

The Commission notes the indications in the Government’s report of 19 February 2024 submitted to the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group that: (1) UNICEF has funded a project for the maintenance of textbooks and the production and dissemination of sketches and adverts on enrolling and keeping children in school, and maintaining textbooks and school facilities; and (2) in rural areas, the Government, in partnership with the World Bank, is planning initiatives such as school transport and canteens (A/HRC/WG.6/46/COM/1, paras 125 and 127). Considering that education plays a key role in preventing children from engaging in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken to ensure that all children have access to free basic education. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved in this regard, including the number of children who have benefited from the measures taken and up-to-date statistical data on school attendance, completion and repetition rates.

Vulnerability to climate change. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report submitted to the UPR Working Group, the Comoros is very exposed to weather and climate hazards and that, to mitigate these risks, the Government: (1) has adopted a “National climate change resilience strategy” and numerous sectoral plans; (2) has embarked on the process of joining the African Risk Capacity Group (for natural disaster risk management); and (3) has concluded a cooperation agreement with the European Union on the Green and Blue Deal for the protection of the environment and the promotion of the blue economy (A/HRC/WG.6/46/COM/1, paras 97 and 101). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the time-bound measures taken to protect children from the worst forms of child labour related to the effects of climate change.

Article 8. International cooperation. Poverty reduction. The Committee notes the indications in the report submitted by the Government to the UPR Working Group that: (1) approximately 45 per cent of the population live just below the national poverty line and 44 per cent face moderate or severe food insecurity; (2) significant efforts have been made in recent years to set up social protection programmes, with an increase in national coverage of vulnerable groups, but coverage is still not sufficient to meet the country’s needs; and (3) the Government is committed to continuing progressive efforts to fight against poverty and protect vulnerable groups (A/HRC/WG.6/46/COM/1, paras 104 and 105). Recalling that poverty reduction programmes contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee urges the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to reduce poverty and to indicate the impact of these measures on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in the country.