E/C.12/GMB/CO/1
Trafficking of women and children
20.
The Committee notes with concern that, despite the adoption of the Trafficking in
Persons Act 2007 and the stringent sanctions against traffickers introduced in various laws,
the State party remains a source and destination country for women and children subjected
to trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation purposes (art. 10).
The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to combat trafficking in
persons for labour and sexual exploitation purposes, and to implement vigorously its
anti-trafficking legislation and national action plan. The Committee also urges the
State party to provide protection and rehabilitation services to victims and to
prosecute offenders.
Economic exploitation of children
21.
While noting that the minimum age for employment in the State party’s legislation
is in line with international standards, the Committee is concerned about the persistence of
child labour in family businesses and in the informal sector. The Committee is also
concerned about the limited implementation of the Labour Code and lack of information on
the labour inspectorate (art. 10).
The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to combat and
prevent economic exploitation of children, especially child labour in family businesses
and in the informal sector. To this end, the State party should ensure that the legal
provisions on child labour are effectively enforced, that individuals who exploit children
are duly sanctioned, and that the labour inspectorate is strengthened to enable it to
monitor effectively compliance with the legal provisions on child labour.
Street children
22.
The Committee regrets the absence of detailed information on the number and
situation of street children. It also expresses its concern about reports of children forced to
beg or work in the street (art. 10).
The Committee calls upon the State party to address the root causes of the phenomenon
of street children. The Committee requests the State party to provide in its next
periodic report information, including statistical data, on street children and
measures to provide protection and assistance to them, as well as on the prosecution of
child labour offences.
Poverty
23.
The Committee is concerned about the high levels of poverty in the State party,
disproportionately affecting women and the population in rural areas. The Committee is
also concerned about the lack of information on the results achieved by the previous
poverty reduction strategies (I and II) (art. 11).
The Committee requests the State party to provide updated information on the
prevalence of poverty in the State party in its next periodic report, identifying the
groups and individuals most vulnerable to poverty, and concrete measures taken to
assist them. The State party is also urged to update the Committee on the impact of the
previous poverty reduction strategies, and to ensure that the Programme for
Accelerated Growth and Employment is implemented with a rights-based approach and
is supported by an effective, participatory and transparent monitoring mechanism.
The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its 2001 statement on poverty
and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
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