In 2020, Cabo Verde made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The National Assembly approved a draft law on Crimes of Aggression and Sexual Abuse Against Children and Adolescents, which increases penalties for sexual assault, including in cases of commercial sexual exploitation, sexting, and child sex tourism. The Observatory for Monitoring and Rapid Identification of Situations of Trafficking in Persons also developed internal procedures and a list of priorities related to human trafficking, including child trafficking. Furthermore, the government extended compulsory, tuition-free education through the 12th grade. However, children in Cabo Verde are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. Law enforcement officials often lack the necessary resources to conduct thorough investigations, and communication among enforcement agencies is limited. In addition, social programs to assist children involved in agriculture and domestic work are not sufficient to address the scope of the problem.
Children in Cabo Verde are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. (1-6) Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. (6-8) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Cabo Verde.
|
Children |
Age |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
Working (% and population) |
10 to 14 |
3.2 (2,392) |
|
Working children by sector |
10 to 14 |
|
|
Agriculture |
79.2 |
|
|
Industry |
7.2 |
|
|
Services |
13.7 |
|
|
Attending School (%) |
5 to 14 |
90.1 |
|
Combining Work and School (%) |
10 to 14 |
1.7 |
|
Primary Completion Rate (%) |
87.3 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2018, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2021. (9)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization’s analysis of statistics from Inquérito as Despesas e Receitas Familiares (HHS), 2001–2002. (10)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.
|
Sector/Industry |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture |
Farming, including carrying heavy loads† (1,7,8,11) |
|
Raising livestock (11) |
|
|
Artisanal fishing in small boats† (8,11) |
|
|
Industry |
Construction (12) |
|
Services |
Domestic work (1,6-8) |
|
Street work, including vending, garbage scavenging,† car washing, and begging (6,7,13,14) |
|
|
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ |
Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (1-5) |
|
Use in illicit activities, including drug trafficking (6,11) |
† 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.
The commercial sexual exploitation of boys and girls, including in the tourism industry, occurs in Cabo Verde. (3,4,6,11) Research indicates that the islands of Sal and Boa Vista register the highest incidences of commercial sexual exploitation of children. (2) Research further indicates that children are also victims of commercial sexual exploitation on the islands of Brava, Santiago, Fogo, and São Vicente. (6)
During the reporting year, the government extended compulsory, tuition-free education through the 12th grade. (8) According to the Cabo Verdean Institute for Children and Adolescents (ICCA), not all special needs students or children in remote areas had equal access to education. In some areas, mountainous topography obliged children to commute great distances to reach secondary schools. (8)
Cabo Verde has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
|
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's laws and regulations are in line with relevant international standards (Table 4).
|
Standard |
Meets International Standards |
Age |
Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Age for Work |
Yes |
15 |
Article 261 of the Labor Code (15) |
|
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work |
Yes |
18 |
Article 264 of the Labor Code; Article 133 of the Civil Code (15,16) |
|
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children |
Yes |
National List of Dangerous Work for Children (17) |
|
|
Prohibition of Forced Labor |
Yes |
Article 14 of Chapter 3 of the Labor Code; Articles 149, 271, and 271-A of the Penal Code (15,18) |
|
|
Prohibition of Child Trafficking |
Yes |
Articles 149 and 271-A of the Penal Code (18) |
|
|
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Yes |
Articles 144–145, 148–150, and 271-A of the Penal Code (18) |
|
|
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities |
Yes |
Article 8 of the Drug Trafficking Law (19) |
|
|
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment |
Yes |
17 |
Article 31 of the Military Service Law (20) |
|
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military |
Yes |
Article 2 of the Military Service Law (20) |
|
|
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups |
Yes |
Article 268-C of the Penal Code (18) |
|
|
Compulsory Education Age |
Yes |
15‡ |
Articles 13 and 20 of the Education Law (21) |
|
Free Public Education |
Yes |
Article 14 of the Education Law (21) |
‡ Age calculated based on available information (22)
During the reporting period, the National Assembly approved a draft law on Crimes of Aggression and Sexual Abuse Against Children and Adolescents aimed at increasing penalties for sexual assault, including in cases of commercial sexual exploitation, sexting, and child sex tourism. The law would also revise the age of "children" upward from 14 to 16 in such cases. (8,23)
The Civil Code includes a list of light work activities that children age 14 are allowed to perform; however, the law does not prescribe the number of hours per week permissible for light work, nor does it specify the conditions under which light work may be performed. (16,24,25)
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 enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.
|
Organization/Agency |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Inspector General for Labor |
Monitors and enforces child labor laws, working closely with the Cabo Verdean Institute for Children and Adolescents (ICCA). (8) |
|
Attorney General's Office |
Determines whether cases have merit and can refer relevant cases to the Judicial Police for investigation. Prepares cases for trial. (8) |
|
Judicial Police and National Police |
Judicial Police conduct criminal investigations; National Police make arrests related to the worst forms of child labor, including human trafficking. (3) |
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2020, labor law enforcement agencies in Cabo Verde took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Inspector General for Labor (IGT) that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including financial resource allocation.
|
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Labor Inspectorate Funding |
$26,000 (26) |
Unknown |
|
Number of Labor Inspectors |
21 (3) |
21 (8) |
|
Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties |
Yes (3) |
Yes (27) |
|
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors |
Yes (3) |
N/A |
|
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (3) |
Unknown |
|
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted |
1,752 (28) |
723‡ (8) |
|
Number Conducted at Worksite |
1,752 (28) |
723‡ (8) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations Found |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed |
0 (3) |
Unknown |
|
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected |
0 (3) |
Unknown |
|
Routine Inspections Conducted |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
|
Routine Inspections Targeted |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Permitted |
Yes (3) |
Yes (27) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Conducted |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
|
Complaint Mechanism Exists |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
‡ Data are from January 2020 to June 2020. (8)
Although the government did not report any child labor violations, ICCA recorded 24 reports of child labor violations during the reporting period. When IGT inspectors find a case of child labor, they inform ICCA for referral to social services providers. (3)
The government did not provide information on whether refresher courses were provided, the number of child labor violations found, or the number of penalties imposed or collected in relation to child labor violations during the reporting period.
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2020, criminal law enforcement agencies in Cabo Verde 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 allocating human resources.
|
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators |
Yes (29) |
Unknown |
|
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (29) |
Unknown |
|
Number of Investigations |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Number of Violations Found |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Number of Prosecutions Initiated |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Number of Convictions |
Unknown |
0 (30) |
|
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (3) |
Yes (8) |
ICCA registered and assisted 172 reports of sexual abuse and exploitation of children in 2020, which may have included potential child trafficking victims. (28)
Reports indicate that the Judicial Police and the National Police often lack the necessary financial and human resources to conduct thorough investigations, including cases of child labor. (8,11)
The government did not maintain comprehensive anti-trafficking in persons law enforcement and victim protection data among its criminal enforcement agencies. (6) Although law enforcement agencies work well together, limited coordination between agencies, which sometimes struggle to share case information and updates, may hinder enforcement efforts. (11) In addition, reports indicate that the judicial system is overburdened with a backlog of cases, which can contribute to a lack of protection for child victims of the worst forms of child labor. (2,3)
The government did not provide information on its criminal enforcement efforts for inclusion in this report.
The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).
|
Coordinating Body |
Role & Description |
|---|---|
|
National Committee for Child Labor Prevention and Eradication in Cabo Verde |
Coordinates the execution of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor and provides a functional mechanism for reciprocal referrals between law enforcement and social services. Led by ICCA, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Labor and Development of Human Resources. (31) In 2020, coordinated activities with various partners, including civil society partners. (8) |
|
Cabo Verdean Institute for Children and Adolescents (ICCA) |
Coordinates and monitors the implementation of all national programs and activities to prevent and combat child labor. (32) In 2020, conducted an assessment of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor. ICCA also consulted with UNICEF, among others, to assess the impact of the National Plan to Combat Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents, and began developing a new action plan for 2021–2023. (8) |
|
Children and Adolescent Committee to Prevent and Combat Sexual Abuse and Exploitation |
Contributes to the prevention and elimination of child sexual exploitation by coordinating the activities of member organizations and public and private services. Supervises, monitors, and evaluates the National Plan to Combat Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents. (11) Led by ICCA. (33) In 2020, coordinated with NGOs, public and private institutions, and religious organizations. (8) |
|
Observatory for Monitoring and Rapid Identification of Situations of Trafficking in Persons |
Coordinates and monitors all efforts to combat human trafficking. Comprises law enforcement, NGOs, civil society, and various government agencies. (11,34) Led by the Ministry of Justice and Labor. (11) In 2020, the Observatory met once and developed internal procedures and a list of priorities related to trafficking in persons and the exploitation of children. (8) |
The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).
|
Policy |
Description |
|---|---|
|
National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor |
Prioritizes the eradication of child labor. Outlines specific objectives, including data collection, institutional capacity building, and enhancement of measures to prevent, protect, and remove children from involvement in child labor. (31) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken to implement the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor. |
|
Code of Ethics Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Guides and governs agencies involved in the tourism sector to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. (35) Remained in force in 2020. (30) |
|
National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2018–2021) |
Prioritizes five strategic areas: prevention, awareness, protection, investigation, and coordination. (36) Establishes the Observatory for Monitoring and Rapid Identification of Situations of Trafficking in Persons. (11,34) Active in 2020. (30) |
In 2020, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating and preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the adequacy of efforts to address the problem in all sectors.
|
Program |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Child Labor Awareness Campaigns† |
Government program implemented by ICCA and the National Committee for Child Labor Prevention and Eradication that conducts national awareness-raising campaigns on the worst forms of child labor. (37) ICCA conducted awareness-raising activities within communities during the reporting period. (30) |
|
Help for At-Risk Children and Social Protection and Reintegration Centers† |
ICCA-implemented program that provides education, health services, and professional training to vulnerable children and their families. Operates six day centers for street children vulnerable to sexual and labor exploitation, including sex trafficking. Moreover, ICCA operates three additional centers for street children through their Nôs Kaza project. (28) The government also operates five long-term social protection and reintegration centers that provide support and educational integration services to children who have experienced long-term trauma, including child trafficking. (38) All centers were active in 2020, and continued to provide support to numerous at-risk children. (38) |
|
Child Emergency Centers† |
ICCA-implemented program that operates two emergency centers for child victims of abuse and sexual exploitation on Santiago and São Vicente islands, operating 24/7. (31,37) Active in 2020. (8) |
|
Cabo Verdean Foundation for Social Action in Education† |
Government programs aimed at providing access to education for disadvantaged children by paying for school fees, materials, and meals. In 2020, launched a campaign to guarantee funds for school materials to 30,000 students from poor families, which will be distributed through the School Kits Program. (39) |
† Program is funded by the Government of Cabo Verde.
Research indicates that awareness-raising efforts on human trafficking, including child sex tourism, remained insufficient on some of the nine inhabited islands. (6) Research also found that programs to assist children involved in agriculture and domestic work are not sufficient to address the scope of the problem.
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Cabo Verde (Table 11).
|
Area |
Suggested Action |
Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Framework |
Prescribe by law the number of hours per week and conditions under which light work may be undertaken. |
2015 – 2020 |
|
Enforcement |
Ensure that criminal investigators receive sufficient financial and human resources to conduct thorough investigations, including investigations of child labor. |
2014 – 2020 |
|
Publish labor law enforcement data, including information on labor inspectorate funding, whether refresher courses are provided, the number of child labor violations found, and the number of penalties imposed and collected related to child labor. |
2011 – 2020 |
|
|
Develop a system to compile and share comprehensive anti-trafficking in persons and victim identification data among criminal enforcement agencies to improve coordination efforts. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Make criminal law enforcement data publicly available, including information on training for new criminal investigators, whether refresher courses are provided, and the number of investigations conducted, violations found, prosecutions initiated, and penalties imposed for violations related to the worst forms of child labor. |
2011 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure that the judiciary has sufficient resources and personnel to allow cases to be prosecuted in a timely manner. |
2019 – 2020 |
|
|
Government Policies |
Ensure that activities are undertaken to implement the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor. |
2020 |
|
Social Programs |
Ensure that special needs students and children in remote areas have equal access to education, including by providing adequate transportation. |
2020 |
|
|
Conduct awareness-raising activities on human trafficking, including child sex tourism, on all nine inhabited islands. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Institute programs to address child labor in agriculture and domestic work. |
2010 – 2020 |
- Pina, Constânça. PR chama “níveis pouco razoáveis” abuso e exploração sexual menores. June 1, 2018. Source on file.
- A Nação. Boa Vista e Sal têm “maior índice” de criminalidade de exploração sexual de menores – deputada. October 25, 2019. https://anacao.cv/noticia/2019/10/25/boa-vista-e-sal-tem-maior-indice-de-criminalidade-de-exploracao-sexual-de-menores-deputada/
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. February 4, 2020.
- Rede Nacional de Prevenção de Abuso e Exploração Sexual de Menores. Plano de Acção da Coordenação Nacional das Redes de Prevenção e Combate aos Abusos e Exploração Sexuais de Crianças em Cabo Verde. January 2019. Source on file.
- A Nação. Predadores sexuais via Facebook: Pena dura para irmãos Alves. February 25, 2018. https://anacao.cv/noticia/2018/02/25/predadores-sexuais-via-facebook-pena-dura-irmaos-alves/
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2020: Cabo Verde. Washington, DC, June 16, 2020. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/cabo-verde/
- Agência Cabo Verdiana de Notícias. Situação do trabalho infantil em Santiago Norte continua “preocupante” – delegado do ICCA. Inforpress, June 12, 2018. https://inforpress.cv/situacao-do-trabalho-infantil-em-santiago-norte-continua-preocupante-delegado-do-icca/
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. January 25, 2021.
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed: March 3, 2021. For more information, please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report. http://data.uis.unesco.org/.
- ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Inquérito as Despesas e Receitas Familiares (HHS), 2001–2002. Analysis received March 2021. For more information, please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. January 23, 2019.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. October 31, 2017.
- dos Santos, Carla. Crianças vão deixar de vender fruta nas estradas de Santiago. October 17, 2017. https://santiagomagazine.cv/sociedade/criancas-vao-deixar-de-vender-fruta-nas-estradas-de-santiago
- ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) Cabo Verde (ratification: 2001). Published: 2019. Accessed: February 28, 2019. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:3950043
- Government of Cabo Verde. Código Laboral Cabo-Verdiano, Lei n.º 5/2007. Enacted: October 16, 2007. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Código Civil, Portaria nº 68-A/97. Enacted: September 30, 1997. http://www.africanchildforum.org/clr/Legislation Per Country/cape verde/capeverde_civilcode_1997_pr.pdf
- Government of Cabo Verde. Lei n.º 113/VIII/2016, de 10 de março, que aprova a Lista Nacional do Trabalho Infantil Perigoso (TIP) e regula a sua aplicação. Enacted: March 10, 2016. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/101425/122193/F1140011145/LEY 113 CABO VERDE.pdf
- Government of Cabo Verde. Código Penal, Decreto-legislativo n° 4/2015. Enacted: November 11, 2015. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Lei nº 78/IV/93. Enacted: July 12, 1993. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Lei do Serviço Militar, Decreto-Legislativo nº 6/93. Enacted: May 24, 1993. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Bases do Sistema Educativo, Decreto-Legislativo nº 13/2018. December 7, 2018. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Bases do Sistema Educativo, Decreto-Legislativo nº 2/2010. Enacted: May 7, 2010. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Projeto de lei sobre crimes de Agressão, Abuso e Exploração Sexual de Crianças e Adolescentes. 2020. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Lei nº 50/VIII/2013, Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente - ECA. ICCA, Ministério da Juventude, Emprego e Desenvolvimento dos Recursos Humanos. December 26, 2013. https://abortion-policies.srhr.org/documents/countries/10-Cape-Verde-Statute-on-Children-and-Adolescents-2013.pdf
- ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Cabo Verde (ratification: 2011). Published: 2018. Accessed: June 2018. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:3339528:YES
- U.S. Embassy- Praia official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. July 10, 2020.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Decreto-Lei nº 13/2012. May 4, 2012. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 9, 2021.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. February 28, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. February 25, 2021.
- Government of Cabo Verde. Plano de Acção de Prevenção e Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil-PANPETI, Resolução n° 43/2014, do B.O.I Série, n° 36. Enacted: June 2, 2014. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia. Reporting. February 6, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. March 10, 2017.
- Pinto Machado, Isabel. Cabo Verde tem Plano contra Tráfico de Seres Humanos. As Vozes do Mundo, July 30, 2018. http://pt.rfi.fr/cabo-verde/20180730-cabo-verde-cria-observatorio-de-monitorizacao-e-identificacao-rapida-de-situacoe
- Government of Cabo Verde. Código de Conduta Ética do Turismo Contra a Exploração Sexual da Criança e do Adolescente. Enacted: April 2, 2014. Source on file.
- Government of Cabo Verde. I Plano Nacional de Combate ao Tráfico de Seres Humanos 2018–2021. January 2018. Source on file.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 10, 2016.
- U.S. Embassy- Praia official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 15, 2021.
- Fundação Caboverdiana de Acção Social Escolar. Parceiros e FICASE engajados para uma Educação Inclusiva e de Qualidade. December 18, 2020. https://ficase.cv/?page=noticia¬icia=_Parceiros_e_FICASE_engajados_para_uma_Educação
