Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports

Vanuatu

Vanuatu
2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor:

Minimal Advancement

In 2021, Vanuatu made minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government created the National Steering Committee on Migrant Protection, which serves to enhance the ability of the government to identify and respond to cases of trafficking in persons, including child labor trafficking, and the Ministry of Education and Training released the Vanuatu Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (2021–2030), which outlines policies and strategies to improve access to education for all children in the country. Although research is limited, there is evidence that children in Vanuatu are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and forced domestic work. Children also engage in dangerous tasks in forestry and logging activities. Vanuatu’s minimum age for hazardous work is below that of international standards. Vanuatu also lacks a referral mechanism between criminal authorities and social services providers. Significant commitment to eradicate child labor is still required, especially with funding and interagency coordination procedures. In addition, the Government of Vanuatu did not respond to requests for information for this report.

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