Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2025, Publicación: 114ª reunión CIT (2026)

Convenio sobre las peores formas de trabajo infantil, 1999 (núm. 182) - Curazao

Articles 3 and 7(1) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour and penalties. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the absence of information in the Government’s report regarding the application in practice of section 2:239 of the Penal Code of 2011. The Committee further notes that no copy of the Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Directive of 2019 has been provided by the Government. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 2:239 of the Penal Code of 2011, as regards the nature and number of offences relating to the trafficking of children under 18 years reported, the number of investigations and prosecutions carried out, and the penalties imposed. It requests once again a copy of the Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Directive, 2019.

Clauses (b) and (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, the production of pornography or pornographic performances and for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, regarding the use, procuring, or offering of a child for pornography production or pornographic performances, cases have not yet been registered. The Committee further notes that the Government has not provided information on the application in practice of the Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Directive, 2019, concerning the use, procuring, or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular the production and trafficking of drugs. The Committeerequests the Government to continue to provide information on the use, procuring, or offering of a child for pornography production or pornographic performances. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Directive, 2019, as regards the offences related to the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular the production and trafficking of drugs, and to provide information on the number and nature of penalties imposed.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms and application of the Convention in practice. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the activities of the Commission on Trafficking in Persons, in particular the annual training of labour inspectors to identify cases of trafficking of children, delivered by the IOM, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the Coordinator of the Commission.

The Committee also notes the establishment of a hotline through the Ministry of Justice and the Prevention of Abuse and Trafficking of People (PATH) Curaçao for victims to report cases of trafficking.

The Committee notes, however, that the Government has not provided information on the activities of the Counter-Trafficking National Task Force to monitor the trafficking of children for labour and sexual commercial exploitation. It further notes the Government’s indication that so far, no cases of child labour or trafficking have been registered. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out by the Commission on Trafficking of Persons to monitor the trafficking of children for labour and sexual commercial exploitation, as well as on the number and nature of violations detected. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the activities carried out by the Counter-Trafficking National Task Force in this regard.

Article 6. Programmes of Action. Programme on the worst forms of child labour. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the absence of information concerning the development and adoption of a programme on the worst forms of child labour by the Ministries of Social Development, Labour and Welfare, Justice, and Education. The Committee requests once again the Government to provide information on the progress made in developing and adopting a programme on the worst forms of child labour, and to provide information on its objectives and implementation, once adopted.

Trafficking. The Committee notes from the website of PATH Curaçao, the implementation of the Human Trafficking Plan of Approach 2022–2026, which aims to establish a more effective and integrated approach to combating and preventing human trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken within the framework of the Human Trafficking Plan of Approach 2022–2026 and the results achieved with respect to the elimination of trafficking of children under the age of 18 years.

Article 7(2)(a). Effective and time-bound measures. Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information concerning the results of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2015–2030, including, among others, the digitalization of primary and secondary education approved by the Council of Ministers. It further notes that the cost of school uniforms at all levels of education is covered by the Government for families with an annual income below US$6,000 or those on welfare benefits.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that primary school enrolment reached 100 per cent and secondary nearly 90 per cent, and that the Compulsory Education Inspectorate has not identified children who are school dropouts. The Committee further notes the Government’s statement that free education and the enforcement of compulsory education are intended to protect all young residents, including migrant, refugee, and undocumented children. The Committee welcomes this information and requests the Government to continue to provide information on the results of the NDP 2015–2030 and on any other measures taken to facilitate access to free basic education. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made and results achieved in increasing school enrolment rates at the lower secondary level.

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. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information on the measures taken, including: (i) the 2021 Manual for the reception and support of victims of trafficking, developed by the Ministry of Justice (section UOJZ), with a child-sensitive approach; (ii) annual training for UOJZ social workers on child victim assistance, provided with support from PATH and its National Rapporteur; and (iii) established protocols for minors, providing for registration, consular notification, shelter, psychological and medical support, temporary residence, legal representation, and, if necessary, return to the country of origin at the Government’s expense. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that, although these protocols are in place, no cases of child trafficking victims have yet been registered on the island. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the UOJZ and other relevant stakeholders regarding the identification, removal, rehabilitation and social integration of child victims of trafficking, as well as on the number of children removed from such situations and provided with assistance.