Selected Child Labor Measures Adopted by Governments
| Ratified ILO Convention 138 09/21/1999 |
X |
| Ratified ILO Convention 182 06/14/2002 |
X |
| Ratified Convention 182 3/23/2001 |
X |
| National Plan for Children |
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| National Child Labor Action Plan |
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| Sector Action Plan (Trafficking) |
X |
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
UNICEF estimated that 37.1 percent of children ages 5 to 14 years in Moldova were working in 2000.[2651] Moldova is a primarily agricultural country, and it is common for children in rural areas to work on family farms or help with household chores.[2652]
According to the IOM, Moldova is considered the primary country of origin in Europe for trafficking of women and children for prostitution to the Middle East, Balkans, and Europe.[2653] A December 2003 UN report reveals that Moldovan children are also being trafficked to Russia for begging and to Ukraine for working on farms. The report states that while trafficking to the Balkans appears to have decreased, new trafficking patterns are emerging, with Russia being a primary destination point for victims, including children.[2654] Young women in rural areas are frequently the target population for traffickers who offer transportation to jobs overseas, but upon arrival, confiscate passports and require payments earned through prostitution.[2655] According to information gathered by ILO-IPEC through a rapid assessment survey, boys and girls as young as 12 years old are trafficked, many of them recruited by people they know.[2656] Estimates on the numbers of child trafficking victims remain limited. However IOM statistics from 2000-2003 indicate that 42 percent of the trafficking victims who were returned to Moldova were minors.[2657]
Education for children is compulsory for 9 years, beginning at age 7.[2658] While the Constitution guarantees free public education,[2659] families face significant additional expenses, including supplies, clothes, and transportation fees.[2660] In September 2003, the government helped vulnerable families purchase school supplies by providing them with direct monetary assistance.[2661] In 2001, the gross primary enrollment rate was 85.3 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 78.3 percent.[2662] Gross and net enrollment ratios are based on the number of students formally registered in primary school and therefore do not necessarily reflect actual school attendance. The net primary school attendance rate was approximately 98.0 percent.[2663] According to the government, about 800 children did not attend school; however, press reports indicate that the number is higher, particularly in rural areas.[2664]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The Labor Law sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years. In certain cases children 15 years of age can work with parental or legal authorization and providing that the work will not interfere with the child’s education or growth.[2665] Children under 18 years are prohibited from participating in hazardous work, including work involving gambling, night clubs, selling tobacco or alcohol.[2666] Employees who are children must pass a medical exam every year until they reach 18 to be eligible to work.[2667] Legal remedies, civil fines and criminal penalties exist to enforce labor legislation, with prison terms of up to three years for repeat offenses.[2668] The Constitution prohibits forced labor and the exploitation of minors.[2669] A Criminal Code is in force, which provides for 10 years to life imprisonment for trafficking and the use of children in the worst forms of child labor.[2670] The Law on Children’s Rights protects children under 18 years of age from prostitution or sexual exploitation.[2671]
The Labor Inspection Office is responsible for enforcing all labor laws, including those pertaining to child labor. While child labor violations are known to occur, they have not been formally reported or uncovered.[2672] An anti-trafficking unit comprised of approximately 30 police officers within the Ministry of Internal Affairs has reportedly improved police investigations on trafficking, and prosecutions have more than doubled in 2004 from 2003 [2673] The Ministry of Internal Affairs cited 382 trafficking investigations in 2004, including 33 cases related to the trafficking of children. The General Prosecutor’s Office reported 95 convictions in 2004 for trafficking and pimping combined.[2674]
Current Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government of Moldova is participating in a USDOL-funded ILO-IPEC regional project to combat the trafficking of children for labor and sexual exploitation. The project is working in partnership with local organizations.[2675] The government also participates in the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, which fosters regional cooperation and offers assistance to governments to combat trafficking.[2676] The National Committee on Anti-trafficking, a government working group, established local committees in each region to provide information on the anti-trafficking efforts. In partnership with OSCE and the Council of Europe, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Labor conducted a special training for trafficking investigators. The Ministry of Labor has partnered with international and local NGOs, to provide employment assistance to victims of trafficking.[2677] Despite government efforts, due to a lack of funds at the national level, as well as corruption and linkages between government officials and organized crime, the majority of trafficking protection and awareness raising measures are being implemented by Moldovan NGOs.[2678]
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