Document #2082770

USDOL – US Department of Labor (Author)

2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Madagascar

Moderate Advancement

In 2021, Madagascar made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government released studies measuring the prevalence of child labor in mining and street begging and officially launched its action plan to target child labor in the mica sector. Criminal law enforcement officials also secured arrests and convictions for cases involving child pornography and commercial sexual exploitation of children. In addition, the government initiated a new program in collaboration with UNICEF to improve, among other targets, education and child protection. Although Madagascar made meaningful efforts in all relevant areas, the government failed to investigate reports of some officials accepting bribes to produce and issue false identity documents to facilitate commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Children in Madagascar are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation. Children also perform dangerous tasks in the mica mining sector and in agriculture, including in the production of vanilla. Limited resources for the enforcement of child labor laws may impede government efforts to protect children from the worst forms of child labor, and social programs to address child labor are insufficient to adequately address the extent of the problem.

 
I. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Child Labor

Children in Madagascar are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. Children also perform dangerous tasks in the mica mining sector and in agriculture, including in the production of vanilla. (1-3) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Madagascar. Data on some of these indicators are not available from the sources used in this report.

Table 1. Statistics on Children's Work and Education

Children

Age

Percent

Working (% and population)

5 to 14

43.2 (Unavailable)

Attending School (%)

5 to 14

68.8

Combining Work and School (%)

7 to 14

33.8

Primary Completion Rate (%)

  

63.3

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2022. (4)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization's analysis of statistics from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 6 (MICS 6), 2018. (5)

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 vanilla and rice† (1,6,7)
 

Fishing and deep-sea diving,† including for lobster (7-10)

Industry

Mining† gold, sapphires, quartz, mica, and tourmaline, and transporting† blocks and stones at mining sites (2,7,12-15)
 

Quarrying† and crushing† stone and making gravel (8,10,16)
 

Brickmaking† (7,8)

Services

Street work, including begging, washing cars, market vending, transporting goods by rickshaw, and scavenging garbage (7-9,17)
 

Working as waitresses, maids, and masseuses (3,17)
 

Domestic work† (6-8)

Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡

Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (3,7,18)
 

Forced labor in mining, fishing, quarrying, begging, and domestic work (3,10)

† 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 Madagascar, particularly those from rural and coastal regions and from poor families, are vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced begging, and forced labor in mining, fishing, and agriculture. (3,7,20) Girls in particular are lured by peers, family members, and pimps to engage in commercial sexual exploitation in tourist locations, cities, vanilla-growing regions, and mining areas. (3,7,15,17) Children from rural villages are often sent to larger cities as domestic workers, in which they are subjected to harsh working conditions, including long hours, poor accommodations, and low salaries. Girls working in domestic service are also more vulnerable to being raped by their employers. (7,8,10) In addition, children recruited by agencies into domestic work are sometimes subsequently subjected to commercial sexual exploitation. (20,21) Reports also suggest a recent increase in the commercial sexual exploitation of boys. (3,20) Children in cities are subjected to online sexual exploitation in which parents or relatives are coerced into making children perform sexual acts on the Internet, with payment received through international money transfers. (10) Sources indicate that some local government officials in tourist areas such as Nosy Be issue false identity documents to minors in exchange for bribes from tourists in order to facilitate child commercial sexual exploitation. (3,18,22) Child protection observers in Toliara have made similar claims against local birth registration officials. (22) Despite these allegations, there have been no reports of government actions to investigate or prosecute public officials who participate in or facilitate child sex tourism. (3,18,22)

An estimated 47 percent of children ages 5 to 17 are engaged in child labor, with 32 percent working in hazardous conditions. The Matsiatra Ambony and Androy regions have the highest rates of working children. (8,23) Estimates from the ILO suggest that children work primarily in the informal sector and in agriculture, and perform hazardous work in agriculture, mining, and fishing. (7) During the reporting period, the Ministry of Population conducted a study of street children in Antananarivo which found that almost half lived off of street begging. (10)

In addition to economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and famine-like conditions in the southern region of Madagascar have exacerbated poverty conditions and pushed more than 100,000 children to the brink of starvation, prompting them to abandon school to beg or forage for food. (10,24) The combination of economic insecurity, hunger, and lack of education may put more children at risk of labor exploitation.

Recent reports indicate that an estimated 10,000 children work in the mica sector in the southern region of Madagascar, including in constructing mines, extracting and sorting mica, and hoisting loads of mica out of mines. Young girls are also vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation around mica mining sites. (2,7,20) An estimated 50 percent of those working in mica mines are between the ages of 5 and 17, according to a study conducted by the Ministry of Mining in 2021. (10) Children as young as age 10 are involved in mining gold and sapphires in the regions of Analamanga, Anosy, Ilakaka, and Vakinankaratra. Children in the mining sector suffer from respiratory problems due to inadequate protective equipment, use heavy and dangerous tools, and work in the hot sun. (7,12,15,17) In addition, children working in the production of vanilla in Madagascar are exposed to extreme temperatures and work for long hours. (6) There are reports that children are increasingly recruited by adults to engage in vanilla theft because they are less likely to be pursued by security forces or subjected to mob retaliation. (9) In fishing, children dive deep underwater with no protection or breathing devices, while children involved in stone quarrying use dangerous tools with no protection and work in the outdoor heat. (8)

Although the Constitution guarantees free compulsory education, in practice, access to education is often limited for some children. Barriers to education include a lack of school infrastructure, unqualified teachers, limited transportation to schools in rural areas, costs for school fees and supplies, and school violence, all of which leave children vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. (6,7,10,25,26)

II. Legal Framework for Child Labor

Madagascar 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’s laws and regulations are in line with relevant international standards (Table 4).

Table 4. Laws and Regulations on Child Labor

Standard

Meets International Standards

Age

Legislation

Minimum Age for Work

Yes

16

Article 24 of the Constitution; Article 100 of the Labor Code; Article 2 of Decree 2018-009 (27-30)

Minimum Age for Hazardous Work

Yes

18

Article 101 of the Labor Code; Article 10 of Decree 2007-563 (28,31)

Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children

Yes

  

Article 101 of the Labor Code; Articles 10, 12, and 16–22 of Decree 2007-563; Article 19 of Decree 2018-009 (28-31)

Prohibition of Forced Labor

Yes

  

Article 4 of the Labor Code; Articles 1, 8, and 18 of Law 2014-040; Article 15 of Decree 2007-563; Articles 333 and 335 of Law 2007-038; Article 19 of Decree 2018-009 (28-33)

Prohibition of Child Trafficking

Yes

  

Articles 15 and 23 of Decree 2007-563; Articles 333 and 335 of Law 2007-038; Articles 1, 6, 8, 13, and 22 of Law 2014-040 (31-33)

Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Yes

  

Articles 13, 23, and 24 of Decree 2007-563; Article 335 of Law 2007-038; Article 1 of Law 2014-040 (31-33)

Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities

Yes

  

Articles 11, 14, and 23 of Decree 2007-563 (31)

Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment

Yes

18

Article 11 of Ordinance No. 78-002 (34)

Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military

N/A*

  

Article 11 of Ordinance No. 78-002(34)

Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups

Yes

  

Articles 15 and 23 of Decree 2007-563 (31)

Compulsory Education Age

Yes

16‡

Article 24 of the Constitution; Article 39 of Law 2008-011 (27,30)

Free Public Education

Yes

  

Article 24 of the Constitution (27)

* Country has no conscription (34) 
‡ Age calculated based on available information (30)

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 enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.

Table 5. Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement

Organization/Agency

Role

Ministry of Civil Services and Labor's Division for the Prevention, Abolition, and Monitoring of Child Labor (PACTE)

Enforces child labor laws, trains inspectors, and coordinates and evaluates efforts to eliminate child labor. Also oversees national and regional child labor coordination committees. (7,35,36)

Ministry of Justice

Enforces laws pertaining to violence against children, including human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. (7,35) Works with Department-level courts to prosecute child labor cases. (7,8,37)

Ministry of Public Security's National Civil Police Force Morals and Minors Brigade

Investigates criminal cases involving minors, including issues pertaining to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in urban areas. (7,35,38) Employs an all-female police unit (Proximity Female Brigade) that works with victims of violence, including child workers, by conducting investigations, directing victims to social services, and raising awareness. (7)

Ministry of National Defense's National Gendarmerie Morality and Child Protective Services

Investigates criminal cases involving children, including those related to the worst forms of child labor in rural areas. (7,35,39)

Ministry of Population, Social Protection, and the Promotion of Women (MPPSPF)

Develops and implements programs to protect vulnerable children, including victims of the worst forms of child labor. (7) In collaboration with UNICEF, manages over 700 child protection networks to protect children in all 22 regions of Madagascar. (3,7,40)

Labor Law Enforcement

In 2021, labor law enforcement agencies in Madagascar took actions to address child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Ministry of Civil Services and Labor that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including insufficient allocation of financial and human resources.

Table 6. Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Labor Law Enforcement

2020

2021

Labor Inspectorate Funding

$31,820 (7)

$27,000 (10)

Number of Labor Inspectors

147 (7)

190 (10)

Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties

Yes (28)

Yes (28)

Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor

N/A

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

No (7)

No (10)

Number of Labor Inspections Conducted

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number Conducted at Worksite

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number of Child Labor Violations Found

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed

0 (7)

Unknown

Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected

0 (7)

Unknown

Routine Inspections Conducted

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Routine Inspections Targeted

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Unannounced Inspections Permitted

Yes (28)

Yes (28)

Unannounced Inspections Conducted

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Complaint Mechanism Exists

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services

Yes (7)

Yes (7)

The government did not provide information regarding child labor law enforcement efforts during the reporting period and acknowledged a general lack of labor inspectorate data. (10) Further, the government did not provide information on the number or types of inspections conducted, nor on the number of violations identified for inclusion in this report.

A labor inspector strike over back pay and the authority to assess penalties that began in November of 2020 continued into the reporting period, though due to the famine situation in the south, inspectors in September agreed to end the strike without obtaining concessions from the government. (7,10)

The government increased the number of labor inspectors during the reporting period, but the number is still likely insufficient for the size of Madagascar’s workforce, which includes almost 14.5 million workers. According to the ILO’s technical advice of 1 inspector for every 40,000 workers in less developed economies, Madagascar would employ about 362 labor inspectors. (41) The government itself has noted that the current number of inspectors is insufficient, indicating that its inspector workforce is not even able to cover the formal sector, much less the informal sector, in which most child labor occurs. (10) In addition, the concentration of labor inspectors in the capital hampers the enforcement of child labor laws in rural areas. (42) The government has indicated that funding was not sufficient to effectively carry out inspections nor cover the expenses of regional offices, most of which do not have transportation to travel to worksites. (7)

Even though the labor inspectorate has the authority to conduct proactive unannounced and routine inspections, in practice, most inspections occur in response to complaints received. (7,8) 

While child labor-related training is provided to new inspectors, the Division for the Prevention, Abolition, and Monitoring of Child Labor (PACTE) has indicated that the course is only 20 hours and insufficient to cover all relevant issues, particularly because refresher courses are not provided. (8,10) In addition, although Madagascar's list of hazardous occupations for children was expanded in 2018, reports indicate that the government was slow to disseminate the law's new requirements and has not taken steps to enforce it. (9) Madagascar has a complaint mechanism via a national child abuse, "147," hotline; however, most of the calls received are related to general violence against children. There is no recordkeeping system to track calls specifically related to child labor issues. (7,8,10)

Criminal Law Enforcement

In 2021, criminal law enforcement agencies in Madagascar took actions to address child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of the criminal enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including insufficient allocation of financial and human resources.

Table 7. Criminal Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement

2020

2021

Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor

Yes (7)

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

Yes (7)

No (10,43)

Number of Investigations

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number of Violations Found

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number of Prosecutions Initiated

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Number of Convictions

Unknown (7)

Unknown

Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor

Yes (18)

Yes (10)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services

Yes (7)

Yes (10)

During the reporting period, authorities identified 22 child trafficking victims after investigating complaints through the national "147" hotline. All the identified children were referred to social services, but the cases did not generate criminal investigations. (22) Meanwhile, the National Office to Combat Human Trafficking (BNLTEH) identified 20 child trafficking victims in its database. UNICEF's Child Protection Network also reported identifying 630 forced labor and sex trafficking victims under the age of 18, all of whom were referred to social services. (22)

In June 2021, authorities arrested a 42-year-old woman for recruiting and using underage girls in the production of pornographic films. The investigation and subsequent arrest included close cooperation with U.S. FBI officials. (10,22) Meanwhile, a court in Toliara convicted three individuals, including a foreign tourist, on commercial sexual exploitation charges stemming from the 2020 arrest of seven individuals. The individuals were sentenced to 5 years in prison. (10,22) In addition, two foreigners and a Malagasy woman were arrested and prosecuted for drugging female victims, including underage girls, and forcing them into prostitution. (22)

The government did not provide complete information on its criminal law enforcement trainings, investigations, violations found, prosecutions, or convictions related to the worst forms of child labor for inclusion in this report. However, during the reporting period, BNLTEH provided training for police officers to improve investigations of child sex tourism. (22)

Research found that there is a lack of funding, trained staff, equipment, and transportation at all levels of government to adequately conduct criminal law enforcement efforts related to the worst forms of child labor. (8,18) Furthermore, weaknesses across Madagascar's court system hamper efforts to prosecute perpetrators of the worst forms of child labor. (18) For example, trafficking cases involving children are often investigated as child abuse and thus outside the purview of courts with human trafficking expertise. In addition, criminal appeals procedures often result in suspects being released from custody and eventually evading imprisonment. (18)

IV. Coordination of Government Efforts on Child Labor

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8). However, gaps exist that hinder the effective coordination of efforts to address child labor, including insufficient allocation of financial resources.

Table 8. Key Mechanisms to Coordinate Government Efforts on Child Labor

Coordinating Body

Role & Description

National Council to Combat Child Labor (CNLTE)

With PACTE participation, coordinates programs and advises on child labor legislation and regulations. (17,44,45) During the reporting period, the council commemorated the World Day Against Child Labor with an event in July to officially launch the joint action plan to combat child labor in the mica sector. (10)

Regional Committees in the Fight Against Child Labor

Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate all activities relating to the elimination of child labor in each of Madagascar's regions. Identify activities to promote the elimination of child labor and compile, analyze, and report child labor data to PACTE. (35,45) During the reporting period, the Sava regional committee provided trainings to local members and assisted in developing child labor action plans, as well as conducted public awareness campaigns. (10) Meanwhile, the Atsimo Andrefana regional committee implemented a mapping project to identify child labor among street children that resulted in the identification of 100 such children. The committee is working to connect the identified children to appropriate social services. (10)

National Office to Combat Human Trafficking (BNLTEH)

Coordinates anti-human trafficking efforts in Madagascar and is responsible for implementing the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Chaired by the Office of the Prime Minister, includes representatives from the Ministries of Civil Services and Labor, Justice, and MPPSPF. (3,32,44) During the reporting period, continued maintaining the trafficking in persons database launched in 2020 and took steps to coordinate progress on implementing the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons. (10)

National Child Protection Committee

Guides and coordinates national child protection policy and programs. Chaired by the Minister of MPPSPF, comprises a steering committee and a technical commission of specialists. (35,46) Due to the pandemic, plans to revise the decree establishing the committee were delayed until late 2021 and thus members of the committee did not meet during the reporting period. However, in 2021, the MPPSPF launched a new initiative to strengthen the child protection system and established a ministerial technical committee to work with other ministries, civil society organizations, and social worker groups to monitor progress on the new initiative. (10)

Although the National Council to Combat Child Labor (CNLTE) developed a national strategy that identifies the roles various ministries would play in addressing child labor in the mica sector, the government amended its budget in 2020 to redirect funds intended for child labor activities to other priorities deemed more important during the pandemic. Overall, the CNLTE, the Regional Child Labor Committees, and the National Bureau to Combat Human Trafficking lack sufficient funding to effectively operate and coordinate efforts to address child labor. (6,7,9,19,20,22,25,37) 

V. Government Policies on Child Labor

The government has established policies related to child labor (Table 9). However, policy gaps exist that hinder efforts to address child labor, including lack of implementation.

Table 9. Key Policies Related to Child Labor

Policy

Description

Joint Action Plan to Address Issues Affecting Children and Households in Mica Exploitation in the Anosy Region†

Developed through a joint initiative between the Ministries of Mines, Labor, and Population, aims to reduce child labor in the production of mining in the southern region. Drafted in collaboration with international and civil society organizations. (7,47) Launched by the Ministry of Labor in July 2021, included field visits during the year. Due to limited funds, no other actions were taken to implement the policy during the reporting period. (10)

Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children in the Tourism Industry

Aims to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the tourism industry. Implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and supported by the ILO and UNICEF. (48,49) In 2021, the Ministry of Tourism announced a new strategy to address issues in the tourism sector, which includes revisions to the code of conduct. The ministry also continued to implement public awareness campaigns to remind travelers about prohibitions on child sex tourism. (10,22)

National Social Protection Policy

Aims to protect children from abuse, violence, and exploitation, and promotes improved access to education and livelihood services for vulnerable children. Led by MPPSPF and supported by international donors. (44,50) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken to implement the Social Protection Policy during the reporting period.

† 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. (51)

Madagascar's National Action Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor expired in 2019. Although no steps have been taken to develop a new action plan, the CNLTE conducted a limited assessment of the plan in 2021 but was unable to finalize its review due to restrictions related to the pandemic and consequent budgetary changes. (10) Similarly, the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons expired in 2019, and a draft version has yet to be finalized. (10)

VI. Social Programs to Address Child Labor

In 2021, 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 inadequate efforts to address the problem in all sectors.

Table 10. Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor

Program

Description

Social Support and Reintegration Centers†

Government program that provides social and reintegration services for victims of child labor and child exploitation. Includes the Manjary Soa Center, the Vonjy Centers in Antananarivo, Toamasina, Nosy Be, and Mahajanga, and the Centre d'Accueil d'Urgence emergency shelter. (7,17,21) The various centers remained active during the reporting period. (22)

Social Safety Net Programs

Cash transfer programs targeting vulnerable children and families, including UNICEF's Let Us Learn program that provides conditional cash transfers to help families overcome barriers to educational access; the Development Intervention Fund that provides conditional cash transfers requiring project participants to enroll their children in school; and funds dispersed via an agreement between the World Bank* and the government in 2021 providing cash transfers to families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and drought conditions in the south. (10)

Elimination of Child Labour in Madagascar’s Mica Sector*

Launched in 2021, targets child labor in the mica sector in southern Madagascar by removing children from mines and providing families with income-generating alternatives. Implemented by Terre des Hommes, Netherlands, UNICEF Netherlands, UNICEF Madagascar, and VDL, also aims to provide technical assistance to the Government of Madagascar by generating a database of mining activities in the country. (52)

UNICEF Country Program (2021–2023)*

UNICEF-funded $202.7 million program that supports the government’s efforts to improve education, health, nutrition, and protection for children in Madagascar. (53,54)

* Program was launched during the reporting period.
† Program is funded by the Government of Madagascar.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (35,55) 

The Ministry of Population, Social Protection, and the Promotion of Women (MPPSPF) manages a child protection network in coordination with other ministries, including the Ministry of Civil Services and Labor's regional child labor committees, to address child exploitation and provide social and health services to child victims. (3,7,22) While the network remained active during the reporting period, research has shown that the government does not adequately fund the network or provide access to public hospitals and health units, requiring the network to rely heavily on international organizations to provide services. (3,7,22,56)

Although Madagascar has programs that target child labor, the scope of these programs is insufficient to address the extent of the problem, particularly in agriculture, commercial sexual exploitation, domestic work, and mining. (25,57)

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 Madagascar (Table 11).

Table 11. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Area

Suggested Action

Year(s) Suggested

Enforcement

Investigate and prosecute public officials who are allegedly complicit in or facilitate the worst forms of child labor.

2019 – 2021
 

Publish complete enforcement information related to child labor, including the number and types of labor inspections conducted, the number of violations found, and penalties imposed and collected.

2013 – 2021
 

Ensure that inspectors and criminal law enforcement officials receive appropriate and regular refresher training on child labor issues.

2019 – 2021
 

Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO’s technical advice.

2015 – 2021
 

Ensure that the labor inspectorate receives adequate funding to enforce child labor laws and to conduct a sufficient number of inspections, including in rural and agricultural areas and the informal sector.

2009 – 2021
 

Ensure that inspectors regularly exercise their authority to conduct routine unannounced inspections rather than conduct inspections primarily in response to complaints.

2019 – 2021
 

Enhance the effectiveness of existing complaint hotline databases by tracking data on child labor-related complaints.

2009 – 2021
 

Disseminate and enforce the 2018 decree expanding the list of hazardous occupations for children.

2018 – 2021
 

Ensure criminal law enforcement authorities investigate cases of child trafficking when identified.

2021
 

Publish criminal law enforcement data on the types of trainings conducted, the number of violations found, the number of investigations and prosecutions initiated, and the number of convictions achieved with respect to the worst forms of child labor.

2013 – 2021
 

Ensure that criminal law enforcement agencies have sufficient staff, equipment, and transportation to address the worst forms of child labor.

2019 – 2021
 

Strengthen the court systems to ensure perpetrators of the worst forms of child labor are properly investigated, prosecuted, and sentenced.

2020 – 2021

Coordination

Ensure that relevant coordinating mechanisms are adequately funded and are actively implementing their mandates.

2014 – 2021

Government Policies

Ensure policies are appropriately funded to enable effective execution.

2021
 

Ensure that policies related to child labor are implemented, and report on actions taken.

2016 – 2021
 

Develop and adopt a new National Action Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor, and finalize new versions of expired policies, such as the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

2019 – 2021

Social Programs

Enhance efforts to eliminate barriers and make education accessible for all children, including those in rural communities, by removing fees for supplies and other school-related costs, expanding school infrastructure and transportation services, hiring sufficiently qualified teachers, and ensuring children’s safety in schools.

2011 – 2021
 

Ensure that social protection systems have adequate funding to provide appropriate services to victims of the worst forms of child labor.

2014 – 2021
 

Expand the scope of programs to address child labor in agriculture and the worst forms of child labor in agriculture, commercial sexual exploitation, domestic work, begging, and mining.

2014 – 2021
 

Collect and publish comprehensive data on child labor prevalence in Madagascar.

2020 – 2021
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  20. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo. Reporting. March 25, 2020. Source on file.
  21. U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2020: Madagascar. Washington, D.C., June 2020.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/madagascar/
  22. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo. Reporting. February 22, 2022.
  23. UNICEF. Madagascar 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Snapshot: Travail des enfants. 2018. Source on file.
    https://mics.unicef.org/surveys
  24. Schlein, Lisa. Starvation Looms in Southern Madagascar. Geneva: Voice of America. January 12, 2021.
    https://www.voanews.com/africa/starvation-looms-southern-madagascar-wfp-warns
  25. UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Human Rights Committee. Observations finales concernant le quatrième rapport périodique de Madagascar. August 22, 2017: CCPR/C/MDG/CO/4.
    http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR/C/MDG/CO/4&Lang=En
  26. U.S. Department of State. Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2020- Madagascar. Washington, D.C., March 30, 2021.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/madagascar/
  27. Government of Madagascar. Loi Constitutionnelle, N° 2007. Enacted: April 27, 2007.
    http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=177213
  28. Government of Madagascar. Labor Code, No. 2003-044. Enacted: June 10, 2004.
    http://www.droit-afrique.com/images/textes/Madagascar/Mada - Code du travail.pdf
  29. Government of Madagascar. Decret N° 2018-009 modifiant et complétant certaines dispositions du Décret N°2007-563 du 03 juillet 2007 relatif au travail des enfants. Enacted: January 11, 2018.
  30. Government of Madagascar. Loi n° 2008-011 du 20 juin 2008 modifiant certaines dispositions de la Loi n° 2004-004 du 26 juillet 2004 portant orientation générale du Système d'Education, d'Enseignement et de Formation à Madagascar. Enacted: June 20, 2008.
    http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/MONOGRAPH/89306/102560/F754294269/MDG-89306.pdf
  31. Government of Madagascar. Decret relatif au travail des enfants, No. 2007-563. Enacted: July 3, 2007. Source on file.
  32. Government of Madagascar. La Lutte Contre la Traite des Etres Humains. Enacted: December 16, 2014. Source on file.
  33. Government of Madagascar. Modifying and Completing Some Provisions of the Penal Code on the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Tourism, No. 2007-038. Enacted: January 14, 2008. Source on file.
  34. Government of Madagascar. Extrait de l’Ordonnance N° 78-002 du 16 Février 1978 sur les Principes Généraux du Service National. Enacted: 1978. Source on file.
  35. Government of Madagascar. Written Communication. Submitted in response to U.S. Department of Labor's "Request for Information on Efforts by Certain Countries to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor". January 3, 2018.
  36. U.S. Department of State. Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2020- Madagascar. Washington, D.C., March 30, 2021.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/madagascar/
  37. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo. Reporting. October 13, 2017.
  38. U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2018: Madagascar. Washington, D.C., June 28, 2018.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-trafficking-in-persons-report/madagascar/
  39. Midi Madagasikara. Droit de l’enfant: Nouveau service de protection de l’enfant au sein de la gendarmerie. September 16, 2017.
    http://www.midi-madagasikara.mg/societe/2017/09/16/droit-de-lenfant-nouveau-service-de-protection-de-lenfant-au-sein-de-la-gendarmerie/
  40. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 17, 2017.
  41. ILO modelled estimates and projections (ILOEST) – Population and labour force. Accessed January 25, 2022. Labor force data is modelled on a combination of demographic and economic explanatory variables by the ILO. Please see "Labor Law Enforcement: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
    https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/
  42. U.S. Department of State. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2018: Madagascar. Washington, D.C., March 13, 2019.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/madagascar/
  43. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo official E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 21, 2022.
  44. ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Direct Request concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) Madagascar (ratification: 2001). Published: 2017.
    http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:3297545
  45. Government of Madagascar. Décret n° 2005-523 du 9 août 2005 portant modification de certaines dispositions des articles du décret n° 2004-985 du 12 octobre 2004 portant création, missions et composition du Comité National de Lutte contre le Travail des Enfants (CNLTE). Enacted: July 3, 2007.
    http://www.lexxika.com/lois-malagasy/droit-du-travail/decret-portant-modification-de-certaines-dispositions-des-articles-du-decret-n-2004-985-du-12-octobre-2004-portant-creation-missions-et-composition-du-comite-national-de-lutte-contre-le-travail/
  46. Government of Madagascar. Projet de décret portant institution d’un Comité National de Protection de l’Enfant (CNPE), No. 2012-858. Enacted: February 20, 2013.
    http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/94708/111171/F647529721/MDG-94708.pdf
  47. Government of Madagascar. Plan de travail conjoin pour adresser les problematique des enfants et des familles dans l'exploitation du Mica dans la region Anosy. 2020. Source on file.
  48. Government of Madagascar, Ministry of Tourism. Lutte contre l’Exploitation Sexuelle des enfants à des fins Commerciales et le Tourisme Sexuel Impliquant les Enfants à Madagascar. July 13, 2016. Source on file.
  49. Government of Madagascar. Code de conduite des acteurs du Tourisme. June 15, 2015. Source on file.
  50. Government of Madagascar. Politique Nationale de Protection Sociale. Enacted: September 2015. Source on file.
  51. Government of Madagascar. Education Sector Plan. June 2017. Source on file.
  52. Terre des Hommes. Eliminating child labour in Madgascar’s mica mines. December 2021.
    https://www.terredeshommes.nl/en/programs/elimination-of-child-labour-in-madagascar-s-mica-sector
  53. UNICEF. Madagascar Country Programme Document. September 2021.
    https://www.unicef.org/executiveboard/documents/country-programme-document-Madagascar-SRS-2021
  54. UNICEF. UNICEF, along with the Malagasy Government, UNDP, UNFPA, launches new programmes for the benefit of Madagascar. September 21, 2021.
    https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/en/press-releases/unicef-along-malagasy-government-undp-unfpa-launches-new-programmes-benefit
  55. UN World Food Programme. Madagascar. Accessed April 8, 2021.
    https://www.wfp.org/countries/madagascar
  56. U.S. Embassy- Antananarivo. Reporting. February 22, 2022.
  57. Government of Madagascar official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. January 14, 2017.
ecoi.net description:
Annual report on child labor (covering 2021)
Country:
Madagascar
Source:
USDOL – US Department of Labor (Author)
Original link:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/madagascar
Document type:
Periodical Report
Language:
English
Published:
28 September 2022
Document ID:
2082770

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