Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports

Niger

Cattle
Cattle
Forced Labor Icon
Gold
Gold
Child Labor Icon
Gypsum (mineral)
Gypsum (mineral)
Child Labor Icon
Salt
Salt
Child Labor Icon
Trona (minerals)
Trona (minerals)
Child Labor Icon
Niger
2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor:

Moderate Advancement

In 2021, Niger made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government created the National Steering Committee to Combat Child Labor. In addition, Niger signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria, formalizing cooperation agreements between the two governments to improve their collective response to human trafficking. Further, the government developed a National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons and a Plan for Social and Economic Development. However, children in Niger are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in hereditary slavery and mining, each sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also perform dangerous tasks herding livestock. The minimum age for work does not meet international standards because it does not apply to children in unpaid or non-contractual work. In addition, the government made no efforts to address the ongoing practice of wahaya, a form of child slavery that was upheld as illegal by a Nigerien court in 2019. Lastly, gaps in labor law enforcement also remain, including insufficient funding for labor inspectors to conduct inspections.

Want this report plus over a thousand pages of research in the palm of
your hand? Download ILAB's Sweat & Toil App today!