USDOL – US Department of Labor (Autor): „2019 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Honduras“, Dokument #2040561

In 2019, Honduras made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government established reciprocal referral mechanisms to ensure child laborers and victims of child-related crimes receive access to social services. It also began implementing its new National Labor Inspection Strategy, which includes monitoring and evaluation of child labor-specific inspections and identifies child labor as an enforcement priority. Furthermore, government agencies coordinated to conduct multiple joint operations targeting child labor in San Pedro Sula and Cortes. However, children in Honduras engage in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and use in illicit activities, including selling and trafficking drugs. Children also engage in child labor in the production of coffee and melons. Labor and criminal law enforcement agencies lacked financial and human resources and the government did not adequately report comprehensive data related to its criminal law enforcement efforts. In addition, the government’s social programs that address child labor in agriculture have not addressed the problem nationwide, and the government lacks social programs to eliminate child labor in other sectors, including fishing, mining, and domestic work.

I. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Child Labor

Children in Honduras engage in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and use in illicit activities, including selling and trafficking drugs. Children also engage in child labor in the production of coffee and melons. (1-5) Table 1 provides key indicators on children's work and education in Honduras.

**Table 1. Statistics on Children's Work and Education**
Children	Age	Percent
Working (% and population)	5 to 14	10.6 (199,954)
Working children by sector	5 to 14
Agriculture		51.3
Industry		12.7
Services		36.1
Attending School (%)	5 to 14	85.6
Combining Work and School (%)	7 to 14	7.5
Primary Completion Rate (%)		81.6

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2017, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2020. (6)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization's analysis of statistics from Encuesta Permanente de Hogares de Propósitos Múltiples (EPHPM), 2018. (7)

Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.

**Table 2. Overview of Children's Work by Sector and Activity**
Sector/Industry	Activity
Agriculture	Production of melon, coffee, corn, and okra (8-13)
	Harvesting mollusks† and shrimp (12,14,15)
	Fishing, including working as divers' assistants,† and diving for lobster† (2,4,5,16)
Industry	Quarrying limestone† and production of lime† (17)
	Artisanal mining† (18,19)
	Production and sale of fireworks† (20-24)
	Construction,† activities unknown (1,2,4,10,25,26)
Services	Washing car windows, begging, vending, and performing† on the streets for tips (1,4,22,25,27-29)
	Work in repair shops,† including in mechanical repair† (25)
	Scavenging in garbage dumps† (28,30,31)
	Work in hotels and laundromats, activities unknown (25,28)
	Domestic work† (10,28)
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡	Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (4,5,32,33)
	Use in illicit activities, including by gangs in committing homicides, extortion, selling and trafficking drugs, and in forced commercial sexual exploitation (1,4,22,26,34-36)
	Forced begging, street vending, and domestic service (4,5,22,37)
	Forced labor in fishing, mining, construction, and in the service industry (5)

† 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.

Children in Honduras are subject to commercial sexual exploitation by family members and friends. (4,5) Children are also forced to work as street vendors and domestic servants. Gangs force children to commit extortion and murder, engage in prostitution, transport weapons, traffic drugs, and serve as lookouts. (4,5) In addition, Honduras is a destination country for child sex tourists from the United States and Canada. (5)

In 2019, Honduras' National Institute of Statistics published updated data on child labor which showed that 364,765 children between the ages of 5 and 17 were working in 2019, with 67 percent working in rural areas and over half engaged in labor in agriculture. (4) Reports indicate that children from indigenous and African-descendant groups are particularly vulnerable to child labor, including its worst forms. (1,32,35,38) Boys from the Miskito Afro-descendant community are vulnerable to forced labor in fishing, mining, construction, hospitality, and in the service sector. (5) Children who lack economic and educational opportunities are the most vulnerable to child labor and are among the most likely to migrate to other countries. Once en route, migrant children are vulnerable to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. (32,33,39)

In Honduras, access to education is often limited, and some reports indicate that 220,000 to 1.5 million children around the country lack access to education. More than 75 percent of these children live in rural areas, where the lack of funding for schools, and in many cases lack of secondary schools, remains a problem. (1,36) Furthermore, some families are unable to afford costs such as uniforms, school fees, and transportation. (4) Violence originating from gang activity also presents barriers to access for both children and educators. (1,4)

II. Legal Framework for Child Labor

Honduras has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).

**Table 3. Ratification of International Conventions on Child Labor**
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 Honduras' legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including the minimum age for work compared to the compulsory education age.

**Table 4. Laws and Regulations on Child Labor**
Standard	Meets International Standards	Age	Legislation
Minimum Age for Work	Yes	14	Article 120 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence; Article 15 of the Executive Agreement STSS-211-01; Article 32 of the Labor Code (40-42)
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work	Yes	18	Articles 1 and 122 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence; Articles 2 and 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01; Article 1 of the Executive Agreement STSS-441-2016 (40,41,43)
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children	Yes		Article 1 of the Executive Agreement STSS-441-2016; Article 8 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01 (40,43)
Prohibition of Forced Labor	Yes		Articles 6 and 52 of the Law Against Trafficking in Persons (Decree 59-2012); Articles 2 and 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01; Articles 179E–179F, and 192 of the Penal Code (40,44,45)
Prohibition of Child Trafficking	Yes		Articles 6 and 52 of the Law Against Trafficking in Persons (Decree 59-2012); Articles 2 and 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01; Article 8 of the Legislative Decree 35-2013 (40,44,46)
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children	Yes		Article 134 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence; Articles 6 and 52 of the Law Against Trafficking in Persons (Decree 59-2012); Articles 2 and 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01; Articles 148 and 149A-E of the Penal Code (40,41,44,45)
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities	Yes		Article 134 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence; Article 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01; Articles 6 and 52 of the Law Against Trafficking in Persons (Decree 59-2012); Article 8 of the Legislative Decree 35-2013 (40,41,44,46)
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment	Yes	18	Articles 2 and 12 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01 (40)
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military	N/A*
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups	Yes		Articles 2 and 10 of the Executive Agreement STSS‑211-01 (40)
Compulsory Education Age	Yes	17	Articles 8, 13, and 21–23 of the Fundamental Law of Education; Articles 36 and 39 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence (41,47)
Free Public Education	Yes		Articles 7, 13, and 21–23 of the Fundamental Law of Education; Article 36 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence; Article 171 of the Constitution (41,47,48)

* No conscription (41)

Honduras' new Penal Code, which would have broadened, and in some cases lowered, some penalties for a range of crimes including human trafficking, did not take effect as anticipated in 2019 due to objections from international organizations and local NGOs. Critics argued that penalties in the law for official corruption were weak relative to other crimes and that certain measures limited the freedom of the press. (49-51)

As the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, children may be encouraged to leave school before the completion of compulsory education.

III. Enforcement of Laws on Child Labor

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 the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STSS) that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.

**Table 5. Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement**
Organization/Agency	Role
Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STSS)	Conducts labor inspections and enforces child labor laws through the General Directorate of Labor Inspections, which was created by the 2017 labor inspection law. (4,52,53)
Public Ministry's Office of the Special Prosecutor for Children (OSPC)	Prosecutes crimes with child victims, including crimes related to child trafficking, forced child labor, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Coordinates with the National Police to investigate crimes and protect victims. (4,26,54)
Public Ministry's Technical Agency for Criminal Investigations	Investigates and provides technical support for criminal prosecutions conducted by the Public Ministry, including by OSPC, such as those related to human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and child pornography. (4,18,22,26)
Public Ministry's Unit Against Trafficking in Persons, Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Illicit Traffic in Persons (UTESCTP)	Established in 2018 under the Attorney General's office, coordinates with domestic and international law enforcement agencies to carry out anti-trafficking in persons operations and prosecutions. Manages a hotline to register trafficking in persons complaints. (5,55)
Directorate of Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (DINAF)	Formulates, coordinates, and implements national plans concerning children and their families; monitors children's rights, including by investigating complaints of child labor and ensuring that victims receive government services; and coordinates state efforts with civil society institutions to protect children. Overseen by the Secretariat of Development and Social Inclusion. (4,22,56-58)

Labor Law Enforcement

In 2019, labor law enforcement agencies in Honduras took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the STSS that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including the lack of human resources.

**Table 6. Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor**
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement	2018	2019
Labor Inspectorate Funding	$3,300,000 (1)	$3,100,000 (4)
Number of Labor Inspectors	169 (1)	154 (4)
Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties	Yes (1,42)	Yes (4,42)
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors	Yes (1)	Yes (4)
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor	Yes (1)	N/A (4)
Refresher Courses Provided	Yes (1)	Yes (4)
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted	25,546 (1)	21,949 (4)
Number Conducted at Worksite	Unknown	Unknown
Number of Child Labor Violations Found	2 (1)	Unknown
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed	0 (1)	2 (59)
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected	0 (1)	0 (4)
Routine Inspections Conducted	Yes (1)	Yes (60)
Routine Inspections Targeted	No (1)	Yes (60)
Unannounced Inspections Permitted	Yes (1)	Yes (4)
Unannounced Inspections Conducted	Yes (1)	Yes (55)
Complaint Mechanism Exists	Yes (1)	Yes (4)
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services	No (1)	Yes (4)

In 2019, Honduras established a reciprocal referral mechanism, which directs authorities and specialists in the country responsible for responding to child labor situations to refer children to various government-sponsored social programs. The government also published implementing regulations in support of the 2017 labor inspection law, which created the General Directorate for Labor Inspections (DGIT) under STSS and significantly increased penalties for labor violations. (4,53,61)

During the reporting period, DGIT conducted 32 routine, child labor-specific inspections nationwide. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Human Rights coordinated with the Sub-Commission on the Gradual and Progressive Eradication of Child Labor to inspect 10 companies in the city of La Ceiba, and encountered three cases of children involved in hazardous work. (62) STSS and civil society partners have all indicated that the number of inspections conducted is insufficient to address the scope of labor violations in the country, including child labor violations. (1,4,36,63) In particular, reports indicate that the STSS conducts most inspections in the urban areas of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, while rural areas and indigenous communities, in which hazardous activities in agriculture and fishing or diving are concentrated, have had insufficient inspections to address the scope of the problem. (64) In 2019, no inspections were conducted in the informal sector, in which child labor is often encountered in Honduras. (4)

Labor union confederations, employer organizations, and human rights organizations have indicated that the level of funding and resources for DGIT is insufficient to enforce child labor laws nationwide. (1,36) In 2019, inspectors did not have sufficient funds to cover the supplies and transportation necessary to conduct inspections. (4) Furthermore, reports indicate that the Directorate of Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (DINAF) lacks sufficient resources to adequately carry out its mandates. (22,26,36)

The number of labor inspectors is likely insufficient for the size of Honduras' workforce, which includes over 3.7 million workers. According to the ILO's technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in industrializing economies, Honduras would employ about 249 labor inspectors. (65,66) The STSS noted that the number of labor inspectors is insufficient. (4) Furthermore, while inspectors received training in 2019 on child labor issues, STSS indicated that more training is needed. (4,62)

Criminal Law Enforcement

In 2019, criminal law enforcement agencies in Honduras took actions to combat child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of the criminal enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including the lack of financial resources.

**Table 7. Criminal Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor**
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement	2018	2019
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators	Unknown	Unknown
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor	Unknown	N/A
Refresher Courses Provided	Unknown	Yes (55)
Number of Investigations	Unknown	Unknown
Number of Violations Found	Unknown	Unknown
Number of Prosecutions Initiated	Unknown	Unknown
Number of Convictions	Unknown	Unknown
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to The Worst Forms of Child Labor	Yes (3)	Yes (55)
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services	No (1)	Yes (4)

In 2019, DINAF and the Unit Against Trafficking in Persons, Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Illicit Traffic in Persons (UTESCTP) coordinated with the Public Ministry's Women and Children's Unit to investigate cases related to human trafficking, child pornography, and other worst forms of child labor. (4) DINAF housed 23 children and adolescent victims of trafficking in persons in specialized protection centers in 2019. (55)

During the reporting period, a local NGO that cooperates with the government identified 277 child victims of human trafficking, including victims of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Honduras' Immediate Response Team of the Inter-Institutional Commission Against Sexual, Commercial, and Trafficking Exploitation (CICESCT) rescued 23 minors from sexual trafficking, forced servitude, and other exploitative crimes. (4) Two individuals were prosecuted during the reporting period for the commercial sexual exploitation of a girl age 17. One of the individuals was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined $48,000 and the other is awaiting trial. (55) In 2019, the Supreme Court of Justice convicted four individuals on child pornography charges. (55) The National Police, meanwhile, executed 12 operations as part of its Odysseus campaign targeting organized criminal groups, trafficking in persons, and other crimes. The operations resulted in 32 arrests and the rescue of 41 minors from criminal organizations. (55) The total number of investigations, violations found, prosecutions, and convictions related to the worst forms of child labor in 2019 was unknown because the government did not provide disaggregated data for inclusion in this report. It also did not provide information on initial training for criminal investigators.

In 2019, CICESCT trained approximately 36,200 people on trafficking in persons prevention, victim identification, risks, and providing adequate protection to victims. The training sessions were conducted throughout the country for government employees, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agents, tourism professionals, and civil society. (55) CICESCT also trained 440 tourism professionals on the risks of child sex tourism and convened 32 government and civil society organizations during the reporting period to coordinate responses to human trafficking crimes. (55)

Reports indicate that the level of funding and resources available to criminal law enforcement agencies is insufficient to meet agency needs. (58) For example, CICESCT indicated that it has only five staff members on the Immediate Response Team and limited resources inhibits its ability to respond to human trafficking cases countrywide. Similarly, the Public Ministry was also understaffed and lacked sufficient resources to investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes. (55)

IV. Coordination of Government Efforts on Child Labor

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).

**Table 8. Key Mechanisms to Coordinate Government Efforts on Child Labor**
Coordinating Body	Role & Description
National Commission for the Gradual and Progressive Eradication of Child Labor	Coordinates government policies and efforts on child labor issues. Chaired by STSS and includes officials from eight government ministries, DINAF, the Supreme Court, and other government entities. (52,67,68) Oversees regional sub-commissions, led by STSS and DINAF officials, which implement national efforts at the local level. (52,67,68) During the reporting period, STSS continued to carry out joint actions with partners under the commission, including joint operations ODISEO VI and Abeono, both aimed at targeting child labor in high-risk neighborhoods in San Pedro Sula and Cortes. (4) The committee convened twice during the reporting period. (62)
Inter-Institutional Commission Against Sexual, Commercial, and Trafficking Exploitation (CICESCT)	Prevents, tends to the victims of, and prosecutes crimes of sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons. Comprising representatives from 35 organizations, including several government ministries, NGOs, and private companies. (69) Oversees 19 local CICESCT committees and implements the Strategic Plan to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking. (35) During the reporting period, referred 20 child victims of exploitation to DINAF to receive services such as protection, food, health care, and psychological support. (4) In 2019, launched a website to provide the public with information on trafficking in persons. (56) Also in 2019, joined the United Nation's Blue Heart Campaign against Trafficking in Persons. (55,70)
Migration Task Force	Convenes several government ministries to collaborate on addressing irregular migration, including combating the risks associated with trafficking in persons. Initiated in 2018 and chaired by Honduras' First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez. (3) In 2019, First Lady Garcia de Hernandez met with U.S. officials to highlight the task force's work, including focusing on the reintegration of returned child migrants. (71,72)
Secretariat of Social Development and Inclusion (SEDIS)	Coordinates social protection policies and the provision of services to vulnerable populations. (73) SEDIS reported that in 2019, it provided services to 2 million Hondurans through various assistance programs. (74)

V. Government Policies on Child Labor

The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).

**Table 9. Key Policies Related to Child Labor**
Policy	Description
Roadmap for the Eradication of Child Labor in Honduras	Aims to eradicate all forms of child labor by 2020 and improve the government's response to child labor issues. Works at the national, regional, and sub-regional levels and addresses poverty, health education, and social development. (75) Implemented by STSS. (22) World Vision and the National Commission for Gradual and Progressive Eradication of Child Labor collaborated to develop a new country prevention strategy (2021–2025). (4)
Strategic Plan to Prevent and Eliminate Child Labor (2016–2020)	Identifies lines of action for preventing and eliminating child labor, including by increasing child labor law enforcement, strengthening engagement with the private sector, developing procedures for inter-agency coordination, and developing social programs to support children removed from child labor. (68) Implemented by STSS and other executive and judicial branch agencies, and employers', workers', and other civil society organizations. (68) Includes the United States-Honduras Labor Rights Monitoring and Action Plan, which aims to improve the enforcement of labor laws, including laws related to child labor, by implementing legal and policy reforms, strengthening STSS, enhancing enforcement activities, and increasing outreach efforts. (76) As part of the Strategic Plan, in 2019 Honduras began implementing its National Labor Inspection Strategy in cooperation with ILO and the U.S. Department of Labor. (4,77)
Strategic Plan to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Honduras (2016–2022)	Establishes national priorities to combat commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking in four principal areas: (1) prevention and awareness; (2) investigation, prosecution, and punishment of violations; (3) detection, assistance, and protection of victims; and (4) coordination and cooperation. (78) During the reporting period, STSS participated in the Latin American and Caribbean Free of Child Labor Regional Initiative, an effort to strengthen coordination in the elimination of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. (4)
National Labor Inspection Strategy †	Aims to adopt a results-driven focus to the overhaul of Honduras' labor inspection processes. Highlights child labor inspections as a priority for targeting and evaluation, and identifies other groups vulnerable to labor exploitation, such as indigenous and rural communities. It was finalized in December of 2018 and implemented in 2019. (77)
U.S.–Honduras Labor Rights Monitoring and Action Plan	Aims to improve the enforcement of labor laws, including laws related to child labor, by implementing legal and policy reforms, strengthening the STSS, enhancing enforcement activities, and increasing outreach efforts. (76) In 2019, Honduras established a reciprocal referral mechanism as part of the plan. (4) The action plan was extended through 2019 and extended again for an undetermined period into 2020. (82)

† Policy was approved during the reporting period.
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (79-81,83-87)

VI. Social Programs to Address Child Labor

In 2019, 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 of programs to address the full scope of the problem.

**Table 10. Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor**
Program	Description
Better Life Voucher (Bono Vida Mejor)†	Conditional cash transfer program that aims to reduce poverty by providing financial assistance to households after parents ensure their children participate in health, education, nutrition, and other programs. (39,88) The Honduran government announced that it succeeded in distributing approximately $20 million in cash transfers during the reporting period. (89)
Program to Combat Child Forced Begging†	DINAF program that identifies and rescues children who are subjected to forced begging and raises awareness of child forced begging through media. (64,90) DINAF indicated during the reporting period that it had initiated a collaborative program with UNICEF to begin formally registering children who receive comprehensive care to obtain better statistics on the number of street children in Honduras. (90)
Program for the Reintegration of Returned Unaccompanied Migrant Children†	Government program that assists unaccompanied migrant children who have been returned to Honduras. Implemented by the National Institute for Migration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DINAF, SEDIS, and the National Center for Social Sector Information. (91) In 2019, Honduras hosted the regional summit of experts on the Return and Adequate and Comprehensive Reintegration of Child and Adolescent Migrants in Northern Central America, Mexico, and the United States. Honduras was chosen as the host because of its work on the issue through its return and reintegration program. (92)
Program to Prevent Sex Tourism Involving Children and Adolescents†	Government program that aims to raise awareness and provide training on sex tourism for the tourism industry. Implemented by the Honduran Tourist Board, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Honduras Tourism Institute. (93) In 2019, Honduras hosted local and regional government ministries, law enforcement personnel, and tourism industry representatives in Roatan for a day-long training on the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Sexual Exploitation in Tourism. (94)
USDOL-Funded Projects	USDOL projects that aim to eliminate child labor through direct services to Honduran youth, capacity building with the Honduran government, and technical assistance to businesses. These projects include: $2 million Addressing Child Labor and Forced Labor in the Coffee Supply Chain in Honduras (2017–2020); $16.5 million Youth Pathways Central America (2015–2020); and $8.7 million Bright Futures (2014–2019). During the reporting period, Bright Futures established 87 Child Labor Prevention Committees in various municipalities to work at a local level to monitor and prevent child labor abuses. (4) Additional information is available on the USDOL website.

† Program is funded by the Government of Honduras.
‡The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (67)

Although the Government of Honduras funds or participates in social programs to address child labor, research did not identify programs that specifically target children working in sectors, such as fishing, mining, and domestic work, or that address the illegal recruitment of children into gang-related activities. In addition, social programs that address child labor in agriculture do not appear to be sufficient to address the scope of the problem nationwide.

VII. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Honduras (Table 11).

**Table 11. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor**
Area	Suggested Action	Year(s) Suggested
Legal Framework	Raise the minimum working age of 14 to conform to the compulsory education age of 17.	2018 – 2019
Enforcement	Ensure that labor and criminal law enforcement agencies have sufficient funding and resources to carry out their mandates nationwide.	2010 – 2019
	Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet ILO's technical advice.	2010 – 2019
	Carry out labor inspections in areas in which child labor is prevalent, such as rural areas, the informal sector, and indigenous communities in which children engage in agriculture and fishing or diving.	2017 – 2019
	Ensure that all labor inspectors receive adequate training on child labor issues.	2014 – 2019
	Provide complete information on labor law enforcement efforts related to the worst forms of child labor, such as the number of worksite inspections conducted and number of child labor violations identified.	2019
	Provide complete information on criminal efforts related to the worst forms of child labor, such as training for new investigators, total number of investigations conducted, violations found, prosecutions initiated, and number of convictions obtained.	2015 – 2019
Social Programs	Increase access to education by increasing funding to schools, building more schools, particularly in rural areas, enhancing efforts to protect students from gang recruitment and violence, and removing barriers such as school fees and costs for uniforms, and transportation.	2014 – 2019
	Expand social programs that address child labor in agriculture and create programs to assist children engaged in child labor in fishing, mining, domestic service, and illicit gang activity.	2009 – 2019
	Ensure social programs reach the children who are most vulnerable to child labor, including children of African descent and indigenous children.	2017 – 2019

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