Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2024, publiée 113ème session CIT (2025)

Convention (n° 182) sur les pires formes de travail des enfants, 1999 - Algérie (Ratification: 2001)

Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure access to education for all children, particularly in disadvantaged or remote areas, by focusing on reducing school dropout rates at secondary level.

The Committee takes due note of the Government’s indication that measures have been taken to answer to the educational, pedagogical and therapeutic needs of children with disabilities, including the creation of specialised establishments to provide for these needs according to the nature of the disability. The Government indicates that a total of 25,211 children and young persons were received in 239 specialized establishment in 2023, and a total of 1,034 special classes were opened with a view to promoting the integration of children with disabilities in the ordinary school environment. The Government mentions that children in a situation of precarity are assisted in various ways, including through schooling grants, textbooks and scholastic supplies, as well as school meals, lodging, transport and school health care.

However, the Committee notes an absence of information regarding specific measures taken to ensure access to education in disadvantaged or remote areas. While taking due note of the measures taken, the Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to ensure that all children have access to free basic education, in particular in disadvantaged or remote areas, by focusing on reducing school dropout rates at lower secondary level. It again asks the Government to provide information on the results obtained, in particular concerning the increase in enrolment and completion rates, and the reduction in the school dropout rates, in primary and lower secondary education.

Clauses (b) and (d). Assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and children at special risk. Children working and living in the streets. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the community services (“services de milieu ouvert”) responsible for the social protection of children at local level, to any natural or legal person may refer any matter that may constitute a danger to the health of physical or moral integrity of a child and which may intervene on its own initiative in certain cases. The Government also indicates that section 25 of Act No. 15-12 of 15 July 2015, concerning community child protection services promotes the child’s family environment, at the same time imposing measures agreed with the families for the child’s protection. If no agreement is reached within 10 days, if the child or the child’s representative retract, or if the arrangements fail, the issue may be referred to the juvenile court.

The Government reports that it has 50 specialized child protection centres in the country. These centres provide care for children at risk and young offenders placed in care by court order. The children placed in these centres follow educational programmes, training and schooling, as well as sports and leisure activities, while enjoying continuous medical and psychological care. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of children identified as living or working in the street or exploited for begging that have been removed from the worst forms of child labour and received in specialized child protection centres and by the community child protection services.