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

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Seychelles (Ratification: 1999)

Articles 3 and 7(1) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, penalties and application in practice. Clauses (a) and (b). Trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement, in its report, that it remains committed to the identification and prosecution of persons suspected of using, procuring, or offering children for prostitution. The Committee further takes note of the data provided by the Government that, in 2020, 41 cases of child trafficking for sexual purposes were reported, and that no such cases were reported between 2021 and 2023. The Committee notes, however, that the Government does not provide information on whether these cases were investigated and prosecuted. With regard to child trafficking cases for other purposes, the Government indicates that, in 2022 and 2023, each year, two cases of child trafficking were reported, all of which are awaiting trial.

The Committee notes the Government’s information according to which: (1) in 2019, one case of child trafficking was filed before the Supreme Court and the accused was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment; (2) in 2020, one case of child trafficking was filed before the Supreme Court and the accused was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment; (3) there is no information for 2021; (4) in 2022, one case of child trafficking was filed before the Supreme Court and proceedings are ongoing; and (5) in 2023, one case of child trafficking was filed before the Supreme Court and proceedings are ongoing. The Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts and to continue taking measures to ensure that persons suspected of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children are identified, and that thorough investigations and prosecutions are carried out in this respect. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on: (i) the number and nature of violations reported, investigations and prosecutions undertaken; and (ii) the outcome of the reported cases of child trafficking, including convictions and criminal penalties imposed. Noting the failure to submit some of the information sought, the Committee also once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sufficient data on the involvement of children in the worst forms of child labour, particularly in commercial sexual exploitation, is collected and made available.

Articles 3(d) and 4(1). Hazardous work and determination of hazardous work. With regard to the adoption of a list of hazardous work, the Committee refers to its detailed comments under the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138).

Article 7. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, according to the “Standard Operating Procedure and Referral Mechanism for Assistance to Victims of Trafficking”, published by the Government, all cases of trafficking are notified to the police. In cases involving child victims, social services are also immediately notified. The Committee takes note of the detailed list that the social services need to follow, including: (1) opening a case file and immediately assigning a case worker to the child victim; (2) deciding if a suspected victim requires placement in a designated shelter; (3) determining whether medical and psychological assistance is needed; and (4) rehabilitation and follow-up. The Government further indicates that it is continuously engaged in providing training to officials of competent authorities (including social workers from the Social Affairs Department, the Trafficking in Persons Secretariat, Police Department, Immigration and the Judiciary) for the identification of victims and their referral. While taking due note of the information provided by the Government, the Committee notes that this information is very general and does not specify the number of child victims identified, rehabilitated and reintegrated. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to pursue its efforts and to indicate: (i) the specific measures taken for the identification, rehabilitation and social integration of child victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; and (ii) the number of child victims who have been effectively rehabilitated and socially integrated. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken, and the results achieved, to enhance the capacity of public officials, including the police, prosecutors and the judiciary, to identify and combat commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.