Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 2003)

Articles 3(a), 6, 7(1) and (2) and 8 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, plan of action, penalties, effective and time-bound measures and international cooperation. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that: (i) the Multisectoral Plan for Integrated Development to live well and combat trafficking and smuggling of persons (2021–25) contributes to the implementation of the Plurinational Policy against trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and related offences 2021–25; (ii) each year the Plurinational Council against Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons adopts the activity plan for bodies that contribute to the fight against trafficking, the monitoring and evaluation of which falls to the plenary of the Plurinational Council; and (iii) within the 2015 Framework Agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Argentina for the prevention and investigation of trafficking in persons and the assistance and protection of victims, it was agreed to develop a road map with 35 activities.

The Committee also takes due note of the Government’s detailed information on the activities carried out by the National Department for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling (DGTTP) between 2022 and 2024, including: (i) the development of the “Study on trafficking in persons in mining areas in northern La Paz”, which has provided an overview of the current situation regarding trafficking in persons and the institutional response in the municipalities of Sorata, Guanay, Mapiri, Teoponte, Caranavi, Palos Blancos, Inquisivi, Tipuani, Apolo and Ixiamas; (ii) the provision of several training courses on child trafficking and related offences for public employees, as well as for children, parents and teachers; (iii) the launch of prevention material designed to tackle new digital forms of recruitment for trafficking in persons, through the publication of four short videos aimed at children and young persons, and eight videos to raise awareness of the issue; (iv) the organization of the first Hackathon against trafficking in persons, resulting in 19 models for innovative technological solutions relating to trafficking in persons; and (v) a series of interventionist and preventive operations carried out in the regions of La Paz and Santa Cruz.

The Committee also takes due note of the updated statistics provided by the Government on the number of trafficking reports received: (i) 49 complaints in 2021, three of which relating to girl victims under 18 years; (ii) 16 complaints in 2022, two of which relating to girl victims under 18 years; and (iii) 56 complaints in 2023, 18 of which relating to victims under 18 years – 15 girls and three boys. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures adopted to put an end to the sale and trafficking of children, including on the impact and the results achieved within the framework of: (i) the Multisectoral Plan for Integrated Development to combat trafficking and smuggling of persons; (ii) the 19 models developed through the Hackathon; (iii) the training provided by the National Department for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling (DGTTP); and (iv) the road map developed within the framework of the agreement with Argentina.

Lastly, the Committee notes the number of complaints of child trafficking and requests the Government to provide information on: (i) the investigations, prosecutions and convictions related to these offences; and (ii) the types of necessary and appropriate direct assistance provided to child victims of trafficking for their removal from this worst form of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration, in particular with respect to the child victims detected through the above-mentioned reports.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. With regard to the measures taken to increase the rates of school retention and completion, particularly at lower secondary school, the Government reports: (i) the provision of school textbooks for all students in the regular education system; (ii) the payment of the Bono Juancito Pinto scheme (conditional cash transfer programme) as a strategy to ensure school retention; and (iii) the provision of free school lunch. The Government indicates that, pursuant to Ministerial Resolution No. 0001/2024, it is taking measures to promote school attendance of child workers. In 2021–22, therefore, the Programme for Education for Child and Young workers and the Programme for psycho-pedagogical support for socially disadvantaged students were developed. These programmes are in the process of being adopted.

The Committee also notes the statistical data, provided by the Government, which highlight a reduction in school drop-out rates between 2021 and 2023, from 61,000 to 50,787 children. The Committee further notes that, according to the 2023 annual UNICEF report, the school enrolment rate increased in 2023 at primary level (96.6 per cent in 2023 compared to 95.8 per cent in 2022) and at secondary level (79.8 per cent in 2023 compared to 79.1 per cent in 2022). The Committee welcomes the increase in the school enrolment rate at both primary and secondary levels, as well as the decrease in the rate of school drop-out. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on: (i) the measures taken to improve the functioning of the education system and increase the rate of school enrolment in primary education and lower secondary education; and (ii) the results achieved in this respect, including updated statistics on the rates of school retention and school drop-out at primary and secondary levels.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Children in street situations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that section 101 of Ministerial Resolution No. 0001/2024 provides that vulnerable children, including street children, must be integrated into the regular education system. With regard to the protocol for the prevention and support for street children and young persons, the Committee notes with regret that, once again, the Government has not provided information on the specific measures taken in practice to identify and reach street children, or on the results obtained. The Committee therefore urges the Government to provide detailed information on the implementation of the protocol and the specific results achieved in protecting children in street situations from the worst forms of child labour. It also requests the Government to provide data on the number of street children who have been reintegrated into the education system.