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

Convention (n° 182) sur les pires formes de travail des enfants, 1999 - Trinité-et-Tobago (Ratification: 2003)

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. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication, in its report, that it is continuing to implement a great number of programmes, initiatives and measures with the aim of increasing school enrolment and attendance rates and reducing drop-out rates and the number of out-of-school children. As previously noted, these programmes and initiatives range from: (1) economic support for families (grants for school supplies, the provision of transport, breakfast and lunch); (2) numerous student support services (such as academic and career counselling, psychological support including for suspended students or students at risk, and assistance to students with special educational needs); (3) support for parents (home visits, support groups, workshops, psychosocial support and guidance); (4) collaboration of school staff with multiple agencies; (5) training for teachers to help them identify issues of students; and (6) research undertaken by the Ministry of Education concerning factors leading to school dropouts with a view to develop strategies to retain students in primary and secondary school.

The Committee also notes the statistics provided by the Government concerning the enrolment of children in primary and secondary school, as well as the number of dropouts. The Committee notes that the total dropout rate of children has remained stable between 2019 and 2022, averaging 0.9 per cent in primary school and 0.7 per cent in secondary school.

The Committee also notes the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2022, carried out in collaboration with UNICEF, which highlights that, of the children surveyed: (1) 79.7 of children of primary school age entered the first grade; (2) the net attendance rate among children of primary school age was 93.7 per cent; (3) the net attendance rate among children of lower secondary school age was 71.8 per cent; and (4) completion rates were at 98.8 per cent for primary school and 94.7 per cent for lower secondary school. The Committee encourages the Government to continue taking measures to improve the functioning of the education system, including by increasing the school enrolment and attendance rates and reducing the dropout rates and the number of out-of-school children, especially at the lower secondary level. It also requests the Government to continue providing statistical information on the results achieved in this regard.

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. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that between 2015 and 2023, 95 child victims (92 girls and 3 boys) benefitted from the services of the Children’s Authority which included: (1) medical services; (2) placement services; (3) counselling; (4) education and (5) reintegration. The Committee takes note of the Government’s information and requests it tocontinue its efforts and keep providing information on the number of children under 18 years of age who have benefited from services for the removal of child victims of trafficking and for their rehabilitation and social integration. To the extent possible, all information provided should be disaggregated by gender and age.