Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government of Lithuania initiated the National Program Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children in 2000 to support the prevention of sexual crimes against children.[2586] In 2003, USD 400,000 was allotted under this program for spending on victim support, education, and improving legal capacity.[2587] In 2000, the Parliament created the position of Child Ombudsman to centralize advocacy efforts for children’s rights.[2588] The Council for Children’s Affairs was established under the jurisdiction of the President to address problems related to the protection of children’s rights.[2589] In November 2001, an interdepartmental task force was established to develop a strategy to address the problem of neglected children and street children.[2590] In January 2002, the government approved a Program on the Control and Prevention of Trafficking in Humans and Prostitution for 2002-2004.[2591] The program concentrated on the causes of prostitution and trafficking; preventive measures; and on providing social, psychological, and legal support to victims of prostitution and trafficking.[2592]
With funding and assistance from the World Bank, the government is implementing a National Poverty Reduction Strategy in order to assist vulnerable populations, including at risk children.[2593] In partnership with government agencies, IOM launched a counter-trafficking project aimed at establishing a coordinated system of assistance for trafficking victims from the Baltic Republics.[2594] In coordination with NGOs, the media, and IOM, the government has carried out a number of anti-trafficking publicity campaigns since 2001.[2595] The World Bank also funds an education project, started in 2002, aimed at improving student achievement in basic education.[2596]
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
Statistics on the number of working children under the age of 15 years in Lithuania are unavailable. Children are reported to beg on the streets or perform odd jobs, such as cleaning cars or selling newspapers.[2597] There are reports of children as young as 11 years old working as prostitutes in brothels in Lithuania. According to UNICEF estimates, 20 to 50 percent of prostitutes in Lithuania could be minors.[2598] Organized crime figures are reported to use coercive means to traffic Lithuanian girls into prostitution abroad, particularly to Western European countries.[2599]
The Law on Education provides for schooling that is free of charge and compulsory from the age of 6 or 7 to 16 years.[2600] The law was amended in 1998, establishing 10 years of basic education and the admission of students aged 14 to vocational schools.[2601] The Constitution guarantees compulsory education for children under the age of 16 years.[2602] In 2000, the gross primary enrollment rate was 101.3 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 94.6 percent.[2603] Primary school attendance rates are unavailable for Lithuania.[2604]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The Law on Employment Contract sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years and stipulates that children from age 14 to 16 years may work in certain government-approved jobs with the consent of a parent or guardian.[2605] With additional consent of a doctor, the Law on Labor Protection allows for children under age 14 to participate in cultural or art festivals, provide communication services, or work in other activities that do not negatively affect their health, morals, or studies.[2606] The Law on Labor Protection prohibits children under 18 years old from working in hazardous conditions, night work or overtime work.[2607] According to this law, children between ages 14 and 16 may work 24 hours per week, and children between ages 16 and 18 may work 36 hours per week.[2608] The Law on Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child stipulates that a child having attained 16 years of age may work, that employers must guarantee safety of children at work, and that the state protects the child from all forms of exploitation at work.[2609] Resolution No. 1055 includes a list of jobs and conditions that are considered dangerous for children from 13 to 18 years old.[2610] Resolution No. 138, approved by the government on January 29, 2003, provides a list of jobs that are forbidden for children under 18 years.[2611] A new Criminal Code came into force on May 1, 2003, which includes a section on crimes against children that addresses the worst forms of child labor.[2612] Forced labor is prohibited by the Constitution.[2613]
Trafficking is a crime in Lithuania. The Criminal Code prescribes 6 to 12 years imprisonment for trafficking in persons involving a juvenile.[2614] According to Article 239 of the Criminal Code, forcing the prostitution of a juvenile is punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 7 years.[2615] According to Article 242 of the Criminal Code, the punishment for exploiting children under the age of 18 in the production of pornography is up to 4 years in jail; however, there is no official data on cases of children exploited for the purpose of pornography.[2616]
The State Labor Inspectorate enforces the country’s child labor laws and investigates complaints related to employment of children under 18 years old.[2617] In 2003, the State Inspectorate conducted inspections in 103 different companies that employed young people and found 4 violations of conditions of employment for people under 18 years.[2618]
The Government of Lithuania ratified ILO Convention 138 on June 22, 1998 and ILO Convention 182 on March 25, 2003.[2619]
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