Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Timor-Leste
Minimal Advancement – Efforts Made but Continued Practice that Delayed Advancement
In 2021, Timor-Leste made minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government established the Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons and convicted two perpetrators of child sex trafficking, its second and third convictions under the 2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons. However, despite recent efforts to address child labor, Timor-Leste is receiving an assessment of minimal advancement because it continued to implement a practice that delays advancement to eliminate child labor. While no law or policy prohibits pregnant girls from attending school, reports continued of orders from school principals that forced girls to leave school when they became pregnant, making them more vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. Children in Timor-Leste are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including forced labor in street vending and commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. In addition, while Timor-Leste law provides for criminal penalties for the worst forms of child labor, there is a lack of authorization for labor inspection agencies to inspect or enforce labor standards in the informal agriculture and commercial sectors.
Children in Timor-Leste are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in forced labor in street vending and commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. (1,2) Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. (1-3) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Timor-Leste.
|
Children |
Age |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
Working (% and population) |
5 to 14 |
12.3 (40,337) |
|
Working children by sector |
5 to 14 |
|
|
Agriculture |
36.9 |
|
|
Industry |
7.3 |
|
|
Services |
55.8 |
|
|
Attending School (%) |
5 to 14 |
83.7 |
|
Combining Work and School (%) |
7 to 14 |
12.4 |
|
Primary Completion Rate (%) |
105.2 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2022. (4)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization’s analysis of statistics from Labour Force-Child Labour Survey (LFS-CLS), 2016. (5)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children’s work by sector and activity.
|
Sector/Industry |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture |
Farming, including cultivating and processing coffee† and growing vegetables and other crops (1,3,6,7) |
|
Fishing,† including work on boats and repairing nets (1,2,8-10) |
|
|
Industry |
Construction,† including brickmaking (1) |
|
Operating weaving and knitting machines (6,11) |
|
|
Services |
Domestic work† (1,3,7,10) |
|
Street work, including vending, begging, and scavenging (1,3,12) |
|
|
Shop keeping and selling goods in markets (6,10) |
|
|
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ |
Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (7,10,13,14) |
|
Domestic and agricultural work, each sometimes as a result of human trafficking (2,7,9,14) |
|
|
Forced labor in street vending (3,15) |
† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.
In Timor-Leste, some children are trafficked from rural areas to the capital city, Dili, and subjected to domestic work, commercial sexual exploitation, or forced labor. (7,9,16,17) Some rural families send children to live with relatives in Dili for school and work; however, there are reports that some of those children are forced to work, including as street vendors, to earn their keep. (17) The new Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons is responsible for collecting government data on human trafficking. (18) Other children are trafficked transnationally, including to Indonesia. (16) Although data are limited, it is reported that children are sometimes directed to work on family farms against their wishes to supplement family incomes or to pay off family debts. (7,9,10,17,19)
Data from the most recent child labor survey in 2016 identified more than 26,000 children engaged in child labor under "other service activities," including domestic work, and identified 588 children as engaging as street vendors. However, in July the Commission for the Rights of the Child cited a slightly smaller figure of 300 children engaging as street vendors, sometimes in situations of forced labor. (3,15)
Although there is no government policy prohibiting girls from attending school while pregnant, research indicates that there were at least some school principals who forced pregnant girls to leave school. As a result, some pregnant students may also attempt to transfer schools, but they face additional difficulty obtaining transfer documentation, which is at the discretion of school principals. (9,10,19-21) This practice may make pregnant girls more vulnerable to involvement in child labor, including its worst forms. The Ministry of Education has drafted a policy to encourage girls to return to school after giving birth, but this policy has remained in draft status for several years, and there is no policy on providing education for girls during their pregnancy. (20)
Timor-Leste's education law requires 9 years of compulsory education; however, in practice, children must pay additional school fees to attend school. (22) Commonly required fees include school uniforms and supplies, which can hinder access to education, particularly for children from poor and rural areas.(3,19,23) In addition, the lack of sanitation facilities at schools can result in girls dropping out of school upon reaching puberty, and children with disabilities are often unable to attend school due to accessibility and infrastructure challenges. (3,19)
Timor-Leste has ratified most key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
|
Convention |
Ratification |
|---|---|
|
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age |
|
|
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor |
✓ |
|
UN CRC |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography |
✓ |
|
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons |
✓ |
The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in Timor-Leste’s legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including the minimum age for hazardous work.
|
Standard |
Meets International Standards |
Age |
Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Age for Work |
Yes |
15 |
Article 68 of the Labor Code (24) |
|
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work |
No |
17 |
Article 67 of the Labor Code (24) |
|
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children |
Yes |
List of Hazardous and Prohibited Activities to Children Under the Age of 18 (25) |
|
|
Prohibition of Forced Labor |
Yes |
Articles 155, 162, 163, and 166 of the Penal Code; Articles 8 and 67 of the Labor Code (24,26) |
|
|
Prohibition of Child Trafficking |
Yes |
Article 81 of the Immigration and Asylum Act; Articles 162–164 and 166 of the Penal Code; Article 67 of the Labor Code; Article 18 of the Law on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking (24,26-28) |
|
|
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Yes |
Fourth Amendment to Articles 163 and 164 of the Penal Code; Articles 155 and 174–176 of the Penal Code; Article 67 of the Labor Code (24,26,29) |
|
|
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities |
No |
Article 155 of the Penal Code; Article 67 of the Labor Code (24,26) |
|
|
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment |
Yes |
18 |
Article 17 of the Law on Military Service (30) |
|
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military |
Yes |
Article 14 of the Law on Military Service (30) |
|
|
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups |
Yes |
Article 125 of the Penal Code (26) |
|
|
Compulsory Education Age |
Yes |
16 |
Article 11 of the Education System Framework Law (22) |
|
Free Public Education |
Yes |
Section 59 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; Article 11 of the Education System Framework Law (22,31) |
A draft Child Protection Act was completed and submitted to Parliament during the reporting period, but it has not yet been passed. (3) A List of Hazardous Work has also been prepared, but it has not yet been approved by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and will still need to be approved by the Council of Ministers. As a Decree Law, however, it will not require parliamentary approval. (3)
Research indicates that various sections of the Penal Code only criminalize the use, procuring, and offering of a child for prostitution, production of pornography, and pornographic performances when the child victim is younger than age 17. The Labor Code also only protects minors younger than age 17 in its prohibition on the use of child labor in hazardous work. (19,23,24,26,32,33) The 2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons raised the age of a minor from under age 17 to age 18 in that it imposes penalties to anyone “recruiting, transporting, transferring, housing, or harboring minors under the age of 18 for the purpose of exploitation.” The amendment states that exploitation includes a person’s labor or services, forced labor or debt bondage, begging, and slavery. (29)
Additionally, the minimum age of 17 for hazardous work is not in compliance with international standards because Timor-Leste fails to ensure that children receive adequate training in accordance with international standards in which the minimum age identified is below age 18. (23,24,26,33) The government has a draft Decree Law that will raise the minimum age of hazardous work to age 18, but it has not yet been submitted for approval to the National Parliament. (10,33) Although Timor-Leste has adopted the List of Hazardous and Prohibited Activities to Children Under the Age of 18, it is uncertain how this law will interact with the Labor Code, which only considers those under age 17 as children. (23,25,34) Lastly, although the Labor Code specifies the conditions and number of hours permitted for light work for children ages 13 to 15, it does not specify which activities qualify as light work. (24)
The minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, which may encourage children to leave school before the completion of compulsory education. (22,31)
The government has yet to complete drafting implementing regulations and guidance on the 2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking. (7,16)
The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.
|
Organization/Agency |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Administration of the Labor Inspectorate General (IGT) |
Falls under the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs and conducts labor inspections (MCAE). Provides civil oversight of laws related to child labor; investigates incidents of forced labor; and refers potential criminal violations of labor laws to the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL). (35) |
|
National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) |
Enforces criminal laws against forced labor, commercial sexual exploitation, child abuse, and human trafficking. Includes the Vulnerable Persons Unit, the immigration police, and the border police. (8,10) |
The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) provides child victims with appropriate support services based on its own information and in response to referrals from agencies that are responsible for conducting child labor investigations, including the Administration of the Labor Inspectorate General (IGT) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL). (35) The MSSI maintains at least 1 technical officer in each of the country’s 13 districts and 2 child protection officers in each of the 65 sub-districts, all trained to follow the government’s standard operating procedures for identifying and referring victims to service providers. (16,17)
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2021, labor law enforcement agencies in Timor-Leste took actions to address child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the IGT that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including an insufficient number of labor inspectors.
|
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
|
Labor Inspectorate Funding |
$246,000 (10) |
$478,000 (3) |
|
Number of Labor Inspectors |
26 (10) |
26 (3) |
|
Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties |
Yes (24) |
Yes (24) |
|
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors |
N/A (10) |
N/A (3) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor |
N/A (10) |
N/A (3) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
No (10) |
Yes (3) |
|
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted |
1,200 (10) |
1,612 (3) |
|
Number Conducted at Worksite |
Unknown (10) |
1,612 (3) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations Found |
0 (10) |
0 (3) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed |
N/A (10) |
N/A (3) |
|
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected |
0 (10) |
0 (3) |
|
Routine Inspections Conducted |
Unknown (10) |
Yes (3) |
|
Routine Inspections Targeted |
Yes (10) |
Yes (3) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Permitted |
Yes (36) |
Yes (36) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Conducted |
Yes (10) |
Yes (3) |
|
Complaint Mechanism Exists |
Yes (10) |
Yes (3) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (10) |
Yes (3) |
Although Timor-Leste does meet the ILO’s technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 labor inspector for every 40,000 workers in less developed economies, the IGT reported that the number of labor inspectors is insufficient to conduct the required labor inspections. (8,9,19)
Research found that there are insufficient child labor enforcement protections for children working on family farms or in domestic work because IGT inspectors are only empowered to inspect formal workplaces, despite the fact that inspectors with the National Commission Against Child Labor routinely identify child labor in domestic work. (10,19) The IGT also had limited capacity to conduct inspections in Timor-Leste's rural areas, where child labor in the agricultural sector is prevalent. This limitation was due to a lack of available transportation, including funds to pay for fuel for government vehicles. (10,19)
Four inspectors and two administrative personnel received training on child labor during the reporting period. (3) Inspectors have dedicated office spaces and access to other non‐monetary necessities to carry out inspections; however, government officials assessed that this amount was insufficient to fully discharge its mandate. They noted that of this amount, only $20,000 was dedicated for child labor issues. (3) In 2021, the IGT assessed this number as inadequate and stated that 6 of Timor-Leste's 13 districts have no resident inspectors. The IGT estimated that 5 inspectors in each district (for a total of 65) are needed to carry out its mandate. (3)
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2021, criminal law enforcement agencies in Timor-Leste took actions to address child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of the enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including training for criminal investigators.
|
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement |
2020 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators |
N/A (10) |
No (3) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
N/A (10) |
No (3) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (10) |
No (3) |
|
Number of Investigations |
0 (10) |
Unknown (3) |
|
Number of Violations Found |
0 (10) |
Unknown (3) |
|
Number of Prosecutions Initiated |
0 (10) |
1 (18) |
|
Number of Convictions |
0 (10) |
2 (18) |
|
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
N/A (10) |
Yes (18) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (10) |
Yes (3) |
The Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU) of the PNTL is charged with the enforcement of criminal laws related to the worst forms of child labor. (9,20) During the reporting period, the VPU did not receive any funding to carry out investigations. (3,10)
The curriculum for new and existing members of the judiciary includes trainings on human trafficking that criminal prosecutors can use to develop new human trafficking investigations and prosecutions. These trainings include methods for handling evidence, as well as questions that prosecutors can ask of witnesses and victims to more clearly delineate whether a case is trafficking-related, thus increasing chances of conviction. (37) However, the government has not finalized or disseminated comprehensive, government-wide standard operating procedures for victim identification. (7) The VPU has no records of child labor, forced child labor, child trafficking, child commercial exploitation or use of children in illicit activities in 2021. (3)
There are only 33 judges and 34 prosecutors to handle the criminal and civil caseload of the entire country, and, as a result, cases can remain pending without a court date for long periods of time. (16) In addition, potential human trafficking cases can be misclassified due to a lack of evidence confirming trafficking, as well as unfamiliarity with trafficking in persons cases though it is improving. (16,38) During the reporting year, the government convicted two perpetrators for child sex trafficking in the second case convicted under the 2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons. The government also opened a case involving five perpetrators, including a village police officer, in a child sex trafficking case of a Timorese victim. (39)
The VPU reported that no new child labor complaints were reported to it in 2021, leading to no investigations made or violations found. (18) The government did not provide information on its criminal law enforcement efforts for inclusion in this report, including information on training for criminal investigators, number of investigations, and number of violations found.
The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8). However, gaps exist that hinder the effective coordination of efforts to address child labor, including a lack of information on steps agencies have taken to address child labor during the reporting year.
|
Coordinating Body |
Role & Description |
|---|---|
|
National Commission Against Child Labor (CNTI) |
Facilitates information sharing on child labor issues among government agencies and serves as the coordinating mechanism for filing and responding to child labor complaints. (3) Develops child labor policies, raises awareness, and contributes to efforts to ratify and implement international conventions related to child protection. Develops the national plan against child labor. (20,33) Disseminates formal information on the normative and technical framework applicable to child labor. Elaborates, approves, and periodically reviews the hazardous work list of jobs prohibited for children under age 18. (20,33) Chaired by the Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment Police (SEPFOPE). (3,40) Other members include the PNTL; Timorese Labor Union Confederation; youth empowerment NGO Forum Tau Matan; Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry; Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI); Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports; Ministry of Justice; and MCAE. (3) Met regularly in 2021. (3) |
|
Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons* |
Replaced the Inter-Agency Anti-Trafficking Working Group. (3) Ensures inter‐ministerial coordination among government and civil society stakeholders to effectively implement the government’s laws and policies to combat human trafficking. Promotes cooperation with foreign entities in the fight against human trafficking and monitors implementation of the conventions that Timor‐Leste has ratified or will ratify in this matter. (3) Established in June 2021 and held its first meeting in November. (3,17) Developed a 1-year action plan that focuses on strengthening the government’s prosecution, protection, and prevention efforts relating to human trafficking cases, including those involving children, and is responsible for coordinating its implementation. (17) |
|
MSSI—National Commission for Children's Rights |
Overseen by MSSI. Responsible for conducting awareness-raising campaigns related to child labor. (9,10) The National Commission for Children’s Rights was active in 2021 in advocating for the Child Protection law currently under review in the National Parliament. The Commission celebrated International Children’s Day and was active in coordinating the work of government ministries to implement the National Action Plan for Children in Timor-Leste. (18) |
|
Provedor for Human Rights and Justice |
Assumes responsibility for sharing information related to child labor with CNTI, SEPFOPE, and PNTL. (9) Coordinates with SEPFOPE, PNTL, the National Commission for Children’s Rights, MSSI, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of State and Administration. (20) Remained active during the reporting year, including sharing information on child labor to other agencies. (3) |
* Mechanism to coordinate efforts to address child labor was created during the reporting period.
The government has established policies related to child labor (Table 9). However, policy gaps exist that hinder efforts to address child labor, including implementation.
|
Policy |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Timor-Leste National Action Plan Against Child Labor |
Aims to strengthen implementation of ILO C. 182 by establishing the Child Labor Commission Working Group, developing a hazardous work list, and creating a national action plan against child labor. Launched in 2009 in partnership with the ILO and the Government of Brazil. (3,10) During the reporting year, the action plan was finalized but has not yet been approved by the Council of Ministers. (3) |
|
Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan (2011–2030) |
Provides short-term and long-term plans for the nation’s development, including the eradication of the worst forms of child labor, poverty alleviation, and implementation of social transfer programs. Specifies commitments to improve the educational system over the next 20 years. (41) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken to implement Timor-Leste's key policies related to child labor during the reporting period. |
Although the National Action Plan Against Child Labor—which aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in Timor-Leste by 2025 and all forms of child labor by 2030—was finalized in 2016, the Council of Ministers had yet to approve it as of January 2022. (3,10,33,42,43)
In 2021, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the adequacy to address the problem in all sectors.
|
Program |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Mother’s Purse (Bolsa da Mãe)† |
MSSI program that provides an annual cash subsidy of $60 to $180 to poor families with a female head of household. Aims to improve the well-being of children by conditioning the subsidy on children’s school attendance and regular medical visits. (44) In September 2021, the government approved a subsidy for a new generation of this program, with the intention to expand the program across the country within 5 years. (45) |
|
Preparation for the New Generation (Preparasun ba Jerasaun Foun)*† |
Provides a monthly cash subsidy of $20 to families with children from 100 days of pregnancy to age 6. Program is still in pilot stage. (3) |
|
Casa Vida† |
Joint program between MSSI and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Nabilian Program and Shelter Initiative. Provides shelter, health assistance, and psychological counseling to minor victims, including victims of child labor and its worst forms. (46) Provides specialized assistance for girls up to age 18 who have escaped situations of sexual violence. (20) Receives referrals from civil society organizations as well as the PNTL Vulnerable Persons Unit. (47) Remained active during the reporting period. (48) |
|
Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor (MAP16) |
USDOL-funded global project implemented by the ILO to conduct research and develop new survey methodologies, improve awareness, strengthen policies and government capacity, and promote partnerships to combat child labor and forced labor. (49) Additional information is available on the USDOL website. |
* Program was launched during the reporting period.
† Program is funded by the Government of Timor-Leste.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (50-52)
The government developed a 1-year action plan on addressing human trafficking for 2022, the first phase of a 5-year plan that will run from 2022–2026 once finalized. (17)
Although the government has implemented programs to address child labor, research found no evidence that it has developed programs to assist children working in agriculture and on family farms, or children involved in the worst forms of child labor. The Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons' work plan includes raising awareness of human trafficking among the populations most at risk, including students, minors, and large families. (18)
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Timor-Leste (Table 11).
|
Area |
Suggested Action |
Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Framework |
Ensure that the law protects children between the ages of 17 and 18 from engagement in all the worst forms of child labor, such as illicit activities, hazardous work, and commercial sexual exploitation. |
2013 – 2021 |
|
Ensure that children receive adequate training specific to the type of work they are undertaking, and ensure that their health, safety, and morals are protected in accordance with international minimum age standards for hazardous work. |
2017 – 2021 |
|
|
Raise the minimum age for hazardous work to age 18 to meet international standards. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the List of Hazardous Occupations and Activities Prohibited for Children is harmonized with the Labor Code and Penal Code. |
2017 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the law’s light work provisions specify the activities in which light work may be undertaken. |
2016 – 2021 |
|
|
Finalize the implementation regulations and guidance on the 2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Raise the minimum age for work to the age up to which education is compulsory. |
2018 – 2021 |
|
|
Enforcement |
Ensure that the IGT is staffed with the appropriate number of labor inspectors to conduct the targeted number of labor inspections. |
2018 – 2021 |
|
Ensure that labor and criminal law enforcement officials receive sufficient training related to the worst forms of child labor, including child trafficking victim assistance. |
2016 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the Administration of the Labor Inspectorate General has the legal authority to conduct inspections in the informal sector, including on family farms and domestic work. |
2017 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that labor and criminal law enforcement agencies receive sufficient funding to carry out inspections and investigations, especially in rural areas of Timor-Leste, including funding for vehicles and fuel. |
2016 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the Vulnerable Persons Unit receives funding to carry out investigations. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Finalize and disseminate standard operating procedures related to human trafficking victim identification. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that criminal and civil cases are tried in a timely manner and that cases of human trafficking are properly classified. |
2019 – 2021 |
|
|
Collect, disaggregate, and publish criminal law enforcement data related to human trafficking. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Coordination |
Ensure that all coordinating bodies are able to carry out their intended mandates. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
Government Policies |
Publish activities undertaken to implement key policies to address child labor during the reporting period. |
2017 – 2021 |
|
Adopt the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labor. |
2016 – 2021 |
|
|
Finalize and adopt the National Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Social Programs |
Create a centralized database to capture human trafficking data that is accessible to all relevant government stakeholders. |
2019 – 2021 |
|
Improve access to education by eliminating school-related fees, making schools accessible for children with disabilities, and providing safe and healthy sanitation facilities, especially for girls. |
2018 – 2021 |
|
|
Ensure that the Ministry of Education draft policy encouraging female students to return to school after giving birth is approved, and that a policy providing education for girls during their pregnancy is drafted. |
2020 – 2021 |
|
|
Publish activities undertaken to implement Mother’s Purse (Bolsa da Mãe) and Casa Vida social programs during the reporting period. |
2018 – 2021 |
|
|
Institute programs to address child labor and the worst forms of child labor, including in agriculture and commercial sexual exploitation. |
2017 – 2021 |
- UNICEF. Situation Analysis of Children in Timor-Leste. 2014.
http://www.statistics.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Situation_analysis_of_children_in_Timor-Leste.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. January 19, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. January 14, 2022.
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed: March 3, 2022. For more information, please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/ - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Labour Force-Child Labour Survey (LFS-CLS), 2016. Analysis received March 2022. Please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste Labour Force Survey 2013. 2015. Source on file.
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2021: Timor-Leste. Washington, D.C., June 20, 2021.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/timor-leste/ - U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. February 8, 2019.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. January 22, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. February 2, 2021.
- UNICEF Australia. See how children in Timor-Leste are seizing the chance to learn. November 17, 2016.
https://www.unicef.org.au/blog/unicef-in-action/november-2016/see-how-children-in-timor-leste-are-seizing-the-chance-to-learn - Neubauer, Ian Lloyd. Toxic cost of rubbish scavenging in East Timor. November 19, 2017.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/toxic-cost-rubbish-scavenging-east-timor-171119195511456.html - The Asia Foundation. The State of Conflict and Violence in Asia. October 11, 2017.
https://asiafoundation.org/publication/state-conflict-violence-asia/ - UNICEF. Situation Analysis of Children in Timor-Leste. December 28, 2021. Source on file.
- ILO-IPEC National Child Labour Survey 2016 - Analytical Report - Timor-Leste. 2019. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. March 11, 2021.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. February 4, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 16, 2022
- U.S. Department of State. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2020: Timor-Leste. Washington, D.C., March 2021
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TIMOR-LESTE-2020-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 22, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 18, 2020.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Education System Framework Law, No. 14. Enacted: October 29, 2008.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex_browse.details?p_lang=en&p_isn=89748 - ILO CEACR Direct request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), Timor-Leste (ratification: 2009). Published: 2019.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_LANG_CODE:3963532,en:NO - Government of Timor-Leste. Labour Code, Law 4/2012. Enacted: 2012. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. List of Hazardous and Prohibited Activities to Children Under the Age of 18. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Penal Code of Timor-Leste, Law No. 19/2009. Enacted: June 7, 2009. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Immigration and Asylum Act. Enacted: 2003. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Law on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Persons. Enacted: January 23, 2017. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Law No. 3/2017 on Prevention and Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Fourth Amendment to the Penal Code. Enacted: January 25, 2017. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Regulation of the Military Service Law. Enacted: April 8, 2009. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Enacted: November 28, 1975.
http://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Constitution_RDTL_ENG.pdf - ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) Timor-Leste (Ratification: 2009) Published: 2018. Accessed: March 29, 2018.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:3339704 - ILO CEACR. Direct request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (no. 182), Timor-Leste (Ratification: 2009). Published: 2021.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID:4004139 - U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 11, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 24, 2022.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Decree Law. No. 19/2010, Statute of the General Labor Inspectorate. December 1, 2010.
http://ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/89766/103187/F-1968336191/TMP89766.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 20, 2020.
- U.S. Department of Sate. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2019: Timor-Leste. Washington, D.C., June 2019.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report-2/timor-leste/ - U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. April 6, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. January 8, 2017.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. 2011. Source on file.
- Government of Timor-Leste. Let's Commit to the Betterment of our Children! Draft National Action Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Timor-Leste, Phase I 2017‐2021. August 16, 2016. Source on file.
- ILO-IPEC. National workshop and drafting process to develop the National Action Plan (NAP) on Child Labour and Forced Labour in Timor-Leste 2016.
http://www.ilo.org/jakarta/whatwedo/eventsandmeetings/WCMS_514115/lang--en/index.htm - U.S. Embassy- Dili. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 6, 2017.
- Tatoli. TL Government approves subsidy for New Generation of Bolsa da Mãe. September 2, 2021.
http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2021/09/02/tl-government-approves-subsidy-for-new-general-of-bolsa-da-mae/ - U.S. Embassy- Dili. Reporting. March 5, 2019.
- U.S. Embassy- Dili official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 7, 2019.
- Casa Vida. Timor-Leste celebrate the International Day of Human Rights. December 10, 2021.
https://casavida.org/casa-vida-timor-leste-celebrate-international-day-human-rights/ - ILO-IPEC. MAP16 Concept Note. August 2019. Source on file.
- ILO-IPEC. Global Action Program on Child Labor Issues. Technical Progress Report. October 2016. Source on file.
- UNICEF. Strengthening Justice and Welfare Systems for Children in Timor-Leste: End-of-project Review, Summary version. May 2016.
http://www.iccwtnispcanarc.org/upload/pdf/5789414528Strengthening Justice and Welfare Systems for Children in Timor-Leste .pdf - ILO-IPEC. Estudo Sobre a Aplicação das Convenções N.° 138 e N.° 182 da OIT e suas Recomendações na Legislação Nacional dos Países da CPLP Programa Internacional para a Eliminação do Trabalho Infantil (IPEC). 2012. Source on file.
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