Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
In June 2003, the Government of Moldova adopted the NationalStrategy for Child and Family Protection, which gives responsibility to theMinistries of Education and Labor to apply child labor legislation.[2862] In November 2001, the Government of Moldova established a National Committeefor Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and adopted a National Plan of Actionto address the problem.[2863] Also in 2001, the Parliament passed additions to the Criminal Code that includeprotection of children, with provisions against trafficking, forced labor, andsexual exploitation.[2864] Moldova participates in the Southeastern European Cooperative Initiative HumanTrafficking Task Force, which is intended to coordinate regional efforts bygovernments to combat trafficking in persons.[2865] In December 2002, the government signed a joint declaration with otherSoutheastern European nations to be assist victims of trafficking.[2866] The government has cooperated with Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia to investigatetrafficking cases.[2867]In addition, the government has established and trained an anti-traffickingunit in the police force. Despite these efforts, due to a lack of funds at thenational level, as well as corruption and linkages between government officialsand organized crime, the majority of trafficking protection and awarenessraising measures are being implemented by Moldovan NGOs.[2868]
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
In 2000, UNICEF estimated that 37.1 percent of children ages5 to 14 years in Moldova were working.[2869] Moldova is a primarily agricultural country, and it is common for children inrural areas to work on family farms or help with household chores.[2870]
Street children in Chisinau and Belti are reported to workas prostitutes as a means of survival.[2871] Moldova is a source country for trafficking of women and girls for prostitutionto the Middle East, Balkans, and other countries in Europe.[2872] UNICEF reports that trafficking of children from Moldova is on the rise due tothe extreme poverty faced in the country.[2873] Young women in rural areas are frequently the target population for traffickerswho offer transportation to jobs overseas, but upon arrival, confiscatepassports and require payments earned through prostitution.[2874] According to information gathered by IOM through its assistance projects, somegirls as young as 12 years old are trafficked to other countries.[2875]
Education for children is compulsory for 9 years, beginningat age 7.[2876] While the Constitution guarantees free public education,[2877]families face significant additional expenses, including supplies, clothes, andtransportation fees.[2878] The most recent primary school enrollment and attendance statistics indicatethat most children are receiving a basic education, with very little variationby gender or regional distribution. In 2000, the gross primary enrollment ratewas 83.8 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 78.4 percent.[2879] The net primary school attendance rate was more than 98.0 percent.[2880] Press reports indicate that attendance may be lower in rural areas.[2881]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The Labor Law sets the minimum age for employment at 16years.[2882] In exceptional cases and with permission of the Trade Union Committee, minorsmay be employed at age 15.[2883] In addition, the Law on Children’s Rights allows children to work at age 14,but only with parental authorization and providing that the work will notinterfere with the child’s education.[2884] Employees who are children must pass a medical exam every year until they reach18 to be eligible to work.[2885] Children under 18 years are prohibited from participating in hazardous work,including work underground, work related to alcoholic beverage production,transportation, and sales, and work with heavy metals.[2886] Legal remedies, civil fines and criminal penalties exist to enforce laborlegislation, with prison terms of up to three years for repeat offenses.[2887] The Constitution prohibits forced labor and the exploitation of minors.[2888] A new Criminal Code came into force in June 2003,[2889]and provides for 10 to 15 years imprisonment for trafficking and the use ofchildren in the worst forms of child labor.[2890] The Law on Children’s Rights protects children under 18 years of age fromprostitution or sexual exploitation.[2891]
In January 2002, Moldova introduced a restructured LaborInspection Office, which is responsible for enforcing all labor laws, includingthose pertaining to child labor.[2892] While child labor violations are known to occur, they have not been formallyreported or uncovered.[2893] Various government agencies and units have jurisdiction to address trafficking,including a police unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the JusticeService, the Police Academy, the General Prosecution Office, and the Ministriesof Justice, Labor, Security, and Economy. The recently-established policeanti-trafficking unit is reportedly understaffed and poorly funded.[2894]
The Government of Moldova ratified ILO Convention 138 onSeptember 21, 1999, and ratified ILO Convention 182 on June 14, 2002.[2895]
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