Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
São Tomé and Príncipe
Minimal Advancement
In 2022, São Tomé and Príncipe made minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government continued to fund three centers run by NGOs that assist vulnerable families, orphans, and children living and working on the street. However, children in São Tomé and Príncipe are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. The Labor Code does not apply to children working outside of a formal labor relationship, such as children who are self-employed. Moreover, limited financial resources hampered law enforcement efforts, and policies addressing the worst forms of child labor do not exist.
Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in São Tomé and Príncipe. Data on some of these indicators are not available from the sources used in this report.
Children | Age | Percent |
Working (% and population) | 5 to 14 | 14.2 (Unavailable) |
Attending School (%) | 5 to 14 | 92.5 |
Combining Work and School (%) | 7 to 14 | 23.3 |
Primary Completion Rate (%) | 84.3 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2017, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023. (1)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization's analysis of statistics from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 6 (MICS6), 2019. (2)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children’s work by sector and activity.
Sector/Industry | Activity |
---|---|
Agriculture | Farming,† including weeding and fertilizing† (3-5) |
Fishing,† including line and hook fishing (3-6) | |
Industry | Carpentry and woodworking (6,7) |
Construction† (3,7) | |
Services | Working in shops, restaurants, and bars† (3,4,6,7) |
Street work,† including begging and street vending† (3,6,7) | |
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ | Commercial sexual exploitation (7,8) |
† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.
Reports indicate that children with a disability, especially those with mobility or hearing difficulties, may have limited access to education. (4,6)
São Tomé and Príncipe has ratified most key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
Convention | Ratification |
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age | ✓ |
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor | ✓ |
UN CRC | ✓ |
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict | |
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography | |
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons | ✓ |
The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in São Tomé and Príncipe’s legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including a lack of minimum age protections for children working outside of a formal labor relationship.
Standard | Meets International Standards | Age | Legislation |
---|---|---|---|
Minimum Age for Work | No | 15 | Articles 268(2) and 269 of the Labor Code (9) |
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work | Yes | 18 | Articles 273(2), 274, and 536 of the Labor Code; Article 171 of the Civil Code (9,10) |
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children | Yes | Hazardous Work List in Annex IV of the Labor Code (9) | |
Prohibition of Forced Labor | No | Articles 159 and 160 of the Penal Code (11) | |
Prohibition of Child Trafficking | Yes | Articles 160 and 181 of the Penal Code (11) | |
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children | Yes | Articles 179–182 of the Penal Code (11) | |
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities | Yes | Articles 279, 280, and 289 of the Penal Code (11) | |
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment | Yes | 17 | Legislation title unknown (12) |
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military | Yes | Article 1 of Decree-Law 3/83 (13) | |
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups | No | ||
Compulsory Education Age | Yes | 15‡ | Articles 11 and 12 of the Basic Education System Law (14) |
Free Public Education | Yes | Article 12 of the Basic Education System Law (14) |
‡ Age calculated based on available information. (14)
The Labor Code permits children, who have completed their compulsory education, to perform light work that is not deemed harmful to their health or development; however, this framework does not establish a minimum age for light work, and legislation specifying the activities and conditions in which light work may be undertaken has yet to be adopted. (9) Minimum age protections contained in the Labor Code also do not apply to children working outside of a formal labor relationship, such as children who are self-employed. (9,15) Furthermore, laws prohibiting forced labor are not sufficient as they do not criminalize practices similar to slavery or debt bondage and forced or compulsory labor. (11)
The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.
Organization/Agency | Role & Activities |
---|---|
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (previously the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, Family and Professional Training) | Enforces labor laws, including child labor. (6,7,16) |
Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights (MOJ) | Enforces criminal laws against the worst forms of child labor. (7,16) |
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2022, labor law enforcement agencies in São Tomé and Príncipe took actions to address child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including insufficient financial resource allocation.
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Labor Inspectorate Funding | $23,000 (4) | $86,000 (6) |
Number of Labor Inspectors | 6 (4) | 5 (6) |
Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties | Yes (17) | Yes (17) |
Training for Labor Inspectors Provided | No (16) | No (6,16) |
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted at Worksite | 60 (4) | 40 (6) |
Number of Child Labor Violations Found | 0 (4) | 0 (6) |
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed | N/A | N/A |
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected | N/A | N/A |
Routine Inspections Conducted | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
Routine Inspections Targeted | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
Unannounced Inspections Permitted | Yes (17) | Yes (17) |
Unannounced Inspections Conducted | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
Complaint Mechanism Exists | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
Children found working as a result of labor inspections are referred to the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights or to the Directorate of Social Protection and Solidarity within the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs for integration at one of the three support centers. (6,7,16) Although inspections are permitted in all sectors, they are seldom conducted in the informal sector, in which child labor is more prevalent. (4,6) Despite the government's substantial increase in funding for the Labor Inspectorate, most of this money was not disbursed in a timely and effective manner. Additionally, there was a 33 percent decrease in the number of overall labor inspections conducted during the reporting period as compared to 2021. (6) Reports also indicate that the allotted budget for the Labor Inspectorate was insufficient to cover operating costs, including office facilities, fuel, and transportation. Inspectors' lack of technical training also hinders their ability to perform their duties. (4,6,18)
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2022, criminal law enforcement agencies in São Tomé and Príncipe took actions to address child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the authority of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including insufficient allocation of financial resources.
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Training for Criminal Investigators Provided | No (4) | No (6) |
Number of Investigations | 0 (4) | 0 (6) |
Number of Prosecutions Initiated | 0 (4) | 0 (6) |
Number of Convictions | 0 (4) | 0 (6) |
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor | Unknown | Unknown (6) |
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services | Yes (4) | Yes (6) |
During the reporting year, investigators lacked resources, including transportation, fuel, and other necessities to carry out investigations. (4,6,7)
The government has established a key mechanism to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8). However, gaps exist that hinder the effective coordination of efforts to address child labor, including efficacy in accomplishing mandates.
Coordinating Body | Role & Activities |
---|---|
Anti-Child Labor Committee | Leads efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. (5,7) Led by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. No activities were undertaken by the committee during the reporting period, due to a lack of resources. (5) |
The government has established policies related to child labor (Table 9). However, policy gaps exist that hinder efforts to address child labor, including coverage of all worst forms of child labor.
Policy | Description & Activities |
---|---|
National Policy and Strategy for Social Protection (2014–2023) | Establishes social protection strategies to protect Santomeans by eliminating extreme poverty over a 10-year time frame, reinforcing the rights of children, and addressing child labor. (5,19) No activities under this strategy were taken during the reporting period, due to a lack of resources. (5) |
Although São Tomé and Príncipe has adopted a social protection policy which includes child labor issues, research found no evidence of a policy on other worst forms of child labor, including commercial sexual exploitation.
In 2022, the government funded programs that may contribute to preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including a lack of social programs to cover all child labor issues.
Program | Description & Activities |
---|---|
Support Centers† | Three government-funded centers run by NGOs, operating in areas with high concentrations of poor families, orphans, and street children. Provide household stipends to keep children in school and teach income-generating skills. (20,21) Support centers were active during the reporting period .(5) |
For information about USDOL’s projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
† Program is funded by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Research found no evidence that the government has carried out programs specifically designed to assist children who are engaged in agriculture or the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation.
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in São Tomé and Príncipe (Table 11).
Area | Suggested Action | Year(s) Suggested |
---|---|---|
Legal Framework | Accede to the UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and the UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict. | 2014 – 2022 |
Ensure that the law criminally prohibits practices similar to slavery or criminally prohibits debt bondage and forced or compulsory labor. | 2021 – 2022 | |
Establish by law a minimum age for light work of no less than 13 years and adopt legislation defining the activities and conditions permissible for light work. | 2018 – 2022 | |
Ensure that the law criminally prohibits the recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups. | 2016 – 2022 | |
Ensure that minimum age for work laws apply to all children in formal and informal work relationships, including children who are self-employed. | 2015 – 2022 | |
Enforcement | Strengthen the Labor Inspectorate by initiating targeted inspections based on analysis of data identifying risk-prone sectors and patterns of serious incidents and ensure that inspections are conducted in the informal sector in which child labor is known to occur. | 2017 – 2022 |
Ensure that labor inspectors are equipped with adequate resources needed to conduct inspections, including office facilities, fuel, and transportation, all disbursed in a timely and efficient manner, and ensure that they receive adequate technical training to strengthen their ability to perform their duties. | 2009 – 2022 | |
Publish information on criminal law enforcement efforts undertaken, including data regarding imposed penalties for violations related to the worst forms of child labor. | 2009 – 2022 | |
Ensure that criminal investigators are equipped with the necessary resources, including transportation, fuel, and other necessities to carry out investigations, and ensure they receive training to better address violations of the worst forms of child labor. | 2009 – 2022 | |
Coordination | Ensure that the Anti-Child Labor Committee is active and able to carry out its intended mandate. | 2020 – 2022 |
Government Policies | Adopt policies to address the worst forms of child labor, including the commercial sexual exploitation of children. | 2020 – 2022 |
Ensure that activities are undertaken to implement the National Policy and Strategy for Social Protection and that data on these activities are published. | 2021 – 2022 | |
Social Programs | Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs. | 2021 – 2022 |
Increase access to education for children with disabilities, including creating programs that support children with mobility and hearing difficulties. | 2021 – 2022 | |
Implement programs to address the worst forms of child labor, including commercial sexual exploitation. | 2020 – 2022 | |
Implement programs that specifically address child labor in agriculture. | 2010 – 2022 |
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 3, 2023. For more information, please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/ - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 6 (MICS6), 2019. Analysis received March 2023. Please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- U.S. Embassy- Libreville. Reporting. January 19, 2022.
- ILO. Programa de Promoção do Trabalho Digno 2018–2021 de São Tomé e Príncipe. 2018. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Luanda. Reporting. January 20, 2023.
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Diagnóstico Rápido Sobre Trabalho Infantil em São Tomé e Príncipe. September 2014. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Libreville. Reporting. February 5, 2021.
- Medeiros, Óscar. Prostituição infantil está a atingir níveis alarmantes em São Tomé e Príncipe. VOA, November 5, 2020.
https://www.voaportugues.com/a/prostituição-infantil-está-a-atingir-níveis-alarmantes-em-são-tomé-e-príncipe/5649373.html - Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Código do Trabalho, Lei nº 6/2019. Enacted: April 11, 2019. Source on file.
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Código Civil, Lei nº 2/77. Enacted: September 28, 1977. Source on file.
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Código Penal, Lei n° 6/2012. Enacted: November 6, 2012. Source on file.
- ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (no. 182) São Tomé and Príncipe (ratification: 2005). Published: 2017.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P11110_COUNTRY_ID,P11110_COUNTRY_NAME,P11110_COMMENT_YEAR:3294433,103341,Sao Tome and Principe,2016 - Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Decreto-Lei n° 3/83. Enacted: February 25, 1983. Source on file.
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Lei de Bases do Sistema Educativo. Enacted: February 18, 2019. Source on File.
- ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (no. 138) São Tomé and Príncipe (ratification: 2005). Published: 2018.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:3331759:NO - U.S. Embassy- Libreville official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 11, 2022.
- Government of São Tome e Príncipe. Decreto-Lei nº 7/2016 – Aprova o novo Estatuto da Inspecção de Trabalho, doravante designada de Estatuto da Inspecção Geral de Trabalho – (EIGT). Enacted: November 14, 2016. Source on file.
- ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Sao Tome and Principe (ratification: 1982) Published: 2021.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:4061926:NO - Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Política e Estratégia Nacional de Proteção Social. February 2014. Source on file.
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. Resumo de Despesas por U.G.-Função-SF-PG-P/A-FR-AC-Natureza Econômica. 2021. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Libreville official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 4, 2022.
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