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Viewing cable 07FREETOWN749, SIERRA LEONE: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07FREETOWN749 2007-12-20 18:33 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Freetown
VZCZCXRO6945
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0749/01 3541833
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201833Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1602
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0242
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000749 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/IL TUDANG 
DOL/ILAB: TMMCARTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI SL
 
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE 
 
REF: SECSTATE 149662 
 
1.  This cable responds to reftel request for information 
for the Worst Forms of Child Labor Report.  Most new 
information since the previous year's report is a result of 
the passage of the 2007 Child Rights Act. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
A) Laws and regulations 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
2.  In July 2007 Sierra Leone enacted a very comprehensive 
"Child Rights Act" which not only guarantees and defines 
children's rights, but also prescribes that these rights be 
respected and implemented at every level and branch of 
government, society, and family.  As the law is still 
fairly new, its impact remains to be seen. 
 
3.  Though a member of the International Labour 
Organization (ILO), Sierra Leone has ratified neither 
Convention 182 nor Convention 138.  As a non-ratifying 
member, Sierra Leone submits annual follow-up reports. 
There does not appear to be any definition of worst forms 
of child labor as per Convention 182, but some of the items 
are covered by the 2005 Anti-Human Trafficking Act.  The 
Child Rights Act does define "light work" consistently with 
Convention 138. 
 
4.  The Child Rights Act mandates that the minimum age for 
light work in Sierra Leone is now 13.  The minimum age for 
full-time employment is 15, which the Child Rights Act 
mandated to now be the new ending age for compulsory 
education.  The minimum age for all forms of hazardous work 
is now 18.  It is illegal to subject a child to 
exploitative labor (any work other than light work). 
 
5.  The Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2005 prohibits all 
forms of trafficking, including forced labor and 
exploitative prostitution.  The penalty for trafficking is 
generally a fine up to 50 million Leones ($16,666) and/or 
imprisonment up to ten years.  International trafficking 
for the purposes of prostitution is usually penalized by up 
to five years' imprisonment. However, if the offense 
involves the transport of children for such acts, a 
sentence of up to 10 years' imprisonment can be imposed. 
Other than the latter penalty, there is no statutory 
distinction between adult and child exploitative 
prostitution. 
 
6.  The country's minimum age for military recruitment is 
18. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
B) Implementation & Enforcement Against Child Labor 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
7.  Law enforcement addresses some complaints and 
violations regarding child labor.  Government entities have 
a range of criminal penalties, fines and court orders they 
may impose in such cases. However, whether they are 
adequate or how often they are used is unclear.  Although 
the government has worked to raise awareness and 
understanding of the laws pertaining to child labor, 
insufficient funds have precluded training activities. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
C) Social Programs Against Child Labor 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
8.  In accordance with the 2005 the Anti-Human Trafficking 
Act, the Anti-Trafficking Task Force is tasked with 
formulating measures that impede recruiting potential 
trafficking victims of trafficking. These programs are 
aimed at keeping children in school and educating those at 
risk of becoming victims of trafficking. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
D) Comprehensive Policy to Eliminate Child Labor 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
9.  The 2007 Child Rights Act requires the formation of a 
National Commission for Children to oversee many facets of 
children's rights, including enforcing some child labor 
prohibitions.  This commission has not yet been 
established.  The Act also calls for child welfare 
committees to be established at the district, chiefdom, and 
village levels.  While these committees would mostly be 
 
FREETOWN 00000749  002 OF 002 
 
 
tasked to monitor and provide guidance, they will have the 
authority to deliver "instructions."  If their 
"instructions" are ignored, the committees will be able to 
levy fines of not less than 50,000 leones ($16.75).  The 
committees will not have any other sanctioning or punitive 
powers.  Legally, education is compulsory until age 15, but 
this is not enforced. Although the government pays tuition 
fees, students are expected to pay a variety of other 
charges such as school materials, uniforms, and extra 
classes. These charges can add up and deter attendance by 
those who cannot afford them. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
E) Continual Progress 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
10.  There is some evidence that, because the Child Rights 
Act has empowered local authorities, including Paramount 
Chiefs, many communities have developed local procedures 
that have been effective in reducing worst forms of child 
labor, particularly in the mining industry, including sand 
mining.  Nonetheless, enforcement of the rule of law and 
implementation of the Child Rights Act across all sectors 
will be an ongoing challenge in resource-strapped Sierra 
Leone.