Selected Child Labor Measures Adopted by Governments
| Ratified Convention 138 12/4/1978 |
X |
| Ratified Convention 182 10/23/2000 |
X |
| ILO-IPEC Member |
X |
| National Plan for Children |
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| National Child Labor Action Plan |
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| Sector Action Plan |
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Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
UNICEF estimated that 70.1 percent of children ages 5 to 14 years were working in Niger in 2000.[2964] Children work primarily in the informal and agricultural sectors.[2965] Children in rural areas mainly work on family farms gathering water or firewood, pounding grain, tending animals, or working in the fields.[2966] Children as young as 6 years old are reported to work on grain farms in the southwest.[2967] Children also shine shoes; guard cars; work as apprentices for artisans, tailors, and mechanics; perform domestic work; and work as porters and street beggars.[2968] Children work under hazardous conditions in small trona, salt, gypsum, and gold mines and quarries; prostitution; and drug trafficking;[2969] as well as in slaughterhouses.[2970]
Niger serves as a source and transit country for children trafficked into for domestic service and commercial labor, including commercial sexual exploitation.[2971] Some Koranic teachers indenture young boys and send them to beg in the streets.[2972] Forced domestic service and commercial sexual exploitation of girls is a problem in Niger.[2973]
Primary education is compulsory for six years.[2974] In 2001, the gross primary enrollment rate was 40.1 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 34.2 percent.[2975] 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. Recent primary school attendance statistics are not available for Niger. As of 2000, 71.1 percent of children who started primary school were likely to reach grade 5.[2976] Children are often forced to work rather than attend school, particularly during planting or harvest periods. In addition, nomadic children in northern parts of the country often do not have the opportunity to attend school.[2977]
Among the challenges faced by the Nigerian education system are outdated primary teaching methodologies; pre-school education that is restricted primarily to urban areas; parental attitudes towards Nigerien education; inadequate infrastructure; and lack of supplies.[2978]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The Labor Code sets the minimum age for employment at 14 years although children under 14 may work with special authorization. Children 14 to 18 years old may not work for more than 4.5 hours per day or in industrial jobs.[2979] The Labor Code prohibits forced and bonded labor, except for work by legally convicted prisoners.[2980] The law also requires that employers guarantee minimum sanitary working conditions for children.[2981] The Penal Code criminalizes the procurement of a minor for the purpose of prostitution.[2982] The Ministry of Labor is charged with enforcing labor laws, but has very limited resources with which to do so.[2983]
Current Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The government conducts anti-trafficking information and education campaigns, and supports two NGO programs that provide assistance to trafficked victims. The government also provided anti-trafficking training to police and border officials. The Ministry of Justice created a national commission to coordinate anti-trafficking activities, and the government signed an anti-trafficking declaration issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).[2984]
Education is a cornerstone of the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper under the IMF’s Enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.[2985] The goals of this initiative include increasing primary school enrollment and completion rates, especially among girls, as well as enrollment in rural secondary schools.[2986] UNICEF is also supporting government education efforts to improve primary education through programs like the African Girls’ Education Initiative.[2987] The Government of Niger is participating in a 4-year USD 2 million USDOL Education Initiative project designed to provide increased access to basic education for 17,800 working or at risk-children.[2988] WFP is also active in Niger, implementing activities to increase enrollment and attendance in primary schools through a school food program.[2989]
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