Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - United Republic of Tanzania (Ratification: 2001)

The Committee notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), received on 27 September 2023. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Articles 6 and 7(2), clause (b) of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour; and effective and time-bound measures to provide appropriate and direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Trafficking in children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan (NAP 2015–17) was reviewed, that a new Action Plan (2018–22) was launched and that a National Standardized Guideline for the establishment and management of safe houses for victims of trafficking in persons was developed in collaboration with other stakeholders.

The Committee notes the observations made by the ITUC that the preventative element of the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan rests heavily on public awareness raising rather than addressing economic factors that drive trafficking. Moreover, its implementation is also highly dependent on NGOs, with not enough government budgetary allocation. The ITUC also observes a lack of proper rehabilitation and recovery services for child victims of trafficking.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that in order to enhance the provision of appropriate services to victims of trafficking, funds were allocated to construct three safe houses for victims of trafficking. Funds were also allocated to the Anti-Trafficking Fund to support the basic material needs of the victims as well as to provide training and for tracing their families. The Government indicates that a total number of 810 potential child victims of trafficking, trafficked from rural areas to the cities, were rescued and provided assistance and reintegrated in their families. In addition, 379 child victims of trafficking who were subjected to forced labour in the fishing industry, mining, plantations and domestic servitude were rescued, rehabilitated and reunited with their families. The Committee requests the Government to continue to take the necessary measures to combat trafficking of children, including through the effective implementation of the NAP, and to provide them with appropriate services for their rehabilitation and social integration. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the specific measures taken in this regard, as well as on the number of children who were prevented or withdrawn from trafficking and then rehabilitated.

Article 6. Programmes of action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and application of the Convention in practice. Following its previous comments concerning the specific measures undertaken within the framework of the Eradicating the Worst Forms of Child Labour (EWFCL) in the Eight Mining Wards of Geita District- Phase 2 (2015–19) project and the ILO Project on Global Research on Child Labour Measurement and Policy Development (MAP), the Government indicates that specific committees have been established from the national to the village level to report, curb and monitor all elements pertaining to child labour. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the concrete measures taken or envisaged to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, in particular hazardous work and to provide information on the results achieved. It requests the Government to provide statistical information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, and the number of children covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention.

Article 7(1). Penalties. With regard to its previous comments concerning the application of sections 78, 79, 80, 82 and 83 of the Law of the Child Act 2010 which establish penalties of fines and imprisonment for the offences related to exploitative and hazardous work, night work, forced labour, prostitution and use of children in pornographic performances or materials. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it is strengthening its mechanisms and platforms to receive complaints and investigations under the above provisions. The Government indicates that offences under the Law of the Child Act are also investigated and prosecuted along with the Penal Code which provides severe punishment for the offences related to sexual exploitation. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that thorough investigations and prosecutions are carried out against the perpetrators of the worst forms of child labour. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations and prosecutions carried out and the penalties imposed for the offences under sections 78, 79, 80, 82 and 83 of the Law of the Child Act.