Selected Child Labor Measures Adopted by Governments
| Ratified Convention 138 10/23/2002 |
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| Ratified Convention 182 10/23/2002 |
X |
| ILO-IPEC Member |
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| 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 11.8 percent of children ages 5 to 14 years were working in 2000.[3795] Children work in agriculture (particularly in the eastern region), and as domestic workers and herders.[3796] Children are also found working on the streets as traders, hawkers, bus and taxi conductors, load bearers, and car washers.[3797] There are reports that girls from Swaziland and Mozambique are increasingly found working in child prostitution in Swaziland.[3798]
Education is neither free nor compulsory in Swaziland. In 2001, the gross primary enrollment rate was 100.4 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 76.7 percent.[3799] 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 Swaziland. As of 2000, 73.9 percent of children who started primary school were likely to reach grade 5.[3800] The government pays teacher salaries, while students are required to pay fees for books, transportation, uniforms, boarding, and building upkeep.[3801] These fees make it difficult for poor children, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS, to attend school.[3802]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The minimum age of employment is set at 15 years for industrial work, although children may work in the commercial sector beginning at age 13.[3803] Children under 15 are allowed to work in family industrial firms or in technical schools under supervision of a teacher or other authorized person.[3804] The Employment Act prohibits children and young persons under 18 years working in mines, quarries or underground work, in premises that sell alcohol for consumption on site, or in any sector that is dangerous to their safety, health or moral development.[3805] The Employment Act also prohibits children from working during school hours, between the hours of 6 pm and 7 am, and for more than 4 hours continuously.[3806] Children are limited to 6 hours of work per day and 33 hours per week.[3807] The Ministry of Labor is responsible for enforcing child labor laws, but its effectiveness is limited by shortages of personnel, according to the U.S. Department of State.[3808]
The Penal Code prohibits the procurement of a girl unless she is a “common prostitute” or “of known immoral character” for purposes of prostitution.[3809] Forced and bonded labor, including by children, is also prohibited. Children are protected by law against child pornography and sexual exploitation.[3810] There is no law prohibiting trafficking in persons.[3811]
Current Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government of Swaziland’s Children’s Unit collaborates with law enforcement on child protection issues, has developed guidelines for management of child abuse cases, and has established professional networks through cooperation with the government’s legal branch and NGOs.[3812] USDOL supports two regional child labor projects in Southern Africa that include Swaziland. The ILO/IPEC implements one USDOL-funded project which in Swaziland is focused on piloting small action programs aimed at children who are working or at-risk of working in exploitative labor; conducting research on the nature and incidence of exploitive child labor; and building the capacity of the government to address child labor issues.[3813] The American Institutes for Research was awarded a USD 9 million grant by USDOL in August 2004 to implement a regional Child Labor Education Initiative project in Southern Africa, and will work in collaboration with the Government of Swaziland on activities there. [3814]
The government continues to fund a program to keep children already attending school in class when they become financially at risk of dropping out. In 2004, an additional USD 3 million was allotted to the program to allow children who dropped out of school due to AIDS in the family to re-enroll.[3815] At least 44 new community schools and 198 Neighborhood Care Points opened in 2004. These Care Points provide nutritional, medical, and counseling needs for orphans and vulnerable populations.[3816] In 2004, the Swaziland Schools Headteachers Association changed its policy to guarantee that girls who become pregnant will no longer be expelled from school.[3817]
The government collaborates with UNICEF on the “Shoulder to Cry On” volunteer program. The program receives financial and technical assistance from UNICEF. The Deputy Prime Minister’s office trains community volunteers through the Women’s Resource Center. The volunteers assist orphans and vulnerable children with their nutritional, medical, educational, and psychological needs.[3818] The government also receives assistance from UNICEF on a pilot program aimed at collecting data on orphans and vulnerable children. Information from the data collection will be used to identify which children will receive government assistance for school expenses.[3819] UNICEF is also implementing the “Education for All Community Grants” initiative, which assists the most vulnerable children in reenrolling in school.[3820]
Save the Children Swaziland implements a program to promote inclusive education for disabled children, provides technical advice on school feeding programs, and carries out awareness-raising sessions on HIV/AIDS for children.[3821] A UN-supported local branch of the Global Campaign for Education was established in Swaziland in 2004. The goal of the group is to ensure that Swazi children are provided with free and quality education.[3822]
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