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

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Algeria (Ratification: 1984)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information in the Government’s report regarding meetings organized in 2022 by the National Body for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of the Child (ONPPE). These meetings focused on national priorities in child protection, to be realized under the national childhood workplan 2024–29. A multisectoral committee was established to elaborate the plan, which focuses on strengthening mechanisms for the provision of care and promotion of children’s rights. The Government also informs that a national childhood plan 2025–30 is under preparation, which will provide those working in the field of childhood protection and promotion with a framework defining the strategic guidelines to, and national priorities for, childcare.

The Committee also notes the launching by the ONPPE in January 2024 of the “Allo Tofola” App. This App makes it possible to report on any child at risk by sending photos, videos and voice recordings. It also contains advice for families and children. The Government adds that the ONPPE is planning to set up a national observation unit to protect children from exploitation using information and communication technologies, while ensuring their secure use.

However, the Committee notes the absence of information in the Government report on the establishment of a system for the collection of statistical data on the nature, extent and evolution of labour by children under 16 years of age. The Committee once again requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to establish such a data collection system and to provide information in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to combat child labour under the national childhood workplan 2024–29, as well as on the preparation of the national childhood plan 2025–30 regarding the strategic guidelines to, and national priorities for, childcare.

Article 2(1). Scope of application and labour inspection. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the labour inspectorate is taking steps to combat child labour, including by: (i) intensifying visits in the private sector to ensure respect of the minimum working age; (ii) developing awareness-raising action during the monitoring visits; (iii) the organization of study days and meetings at regional labour inspection level to address questions on child labour and to examine its different forms and to strengthen prevention and protection measures.

The Government also indicates that the general labour inspection services organize an annual General Survey covering the entire national territory on child labour in the formal and informal sectors, including all sectors of activity. It states that over the past four years the labour inspectorate only recorded a child labour rate of between 0.001 and 0.002 per cent.

The Committee notes the disparity between the data recorded by the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and those provided by the Government. According to MICS, 4.2 per cent of children from 5 to 17 years of age are engaged in child labour, including in hazardous conditions. The Committee recalls that all child labour, including in the informal economy or in less visible situations, must imperatively be taken into account. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee again requests it to intensify its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspectorate in order to detect all cases of child labour, including in the informal economy. It requests the Government to provide information in this regard, and on the number of violations found relating to child labour, including in hazardous conditions, and the penalties imposed.