Country profile ARM
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5-17 | 4.9 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 2.7 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 3.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 5 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 3 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 4.1 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2022-07-01 ; 2004-11-09 | C182 | Criminal Code - Article 238 and Article 239 ; Labor Code - Article 257 | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/Criminal%20Code%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Armenia%20%282022%29%20%28English%29.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 238 of the Criminal Code criminalizes the act of teaching a minor criminal skills by a person who has reached the age of 18. This includes instilling in a minor a criminal ideology, promoting the traditions of a criminal subculture, teaching rules or customs of criminal behavior, or encouraging the commission of crimes, as well as making a minor participate in a crime initiated by the minor or committed by another person. A stricter penalty is foreseen if the offense is committed by a person responsible for the upbringing, care, or treatment of the child. In addition, Article 239 prohibits inciting or involving a child in committing acts related to the preparation or distribution of pornographic or pornographic materials or objects. Besides, Part 1 of Article 257 of the Labor Code also stipulates that it is prohibited to involve persons under the age of 18 in work aimed at the production, use, advertising, trade or any other means of distribution or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, tobacco, other tobacco products or their substitutes. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2022-07-01; 2004-11-09 | C182 | Criminal Code - Article 202 ; Labor Code - Article 257 | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/Criminal%20Code%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Armenia%20%282022%29%20%28English%29.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | No | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 202 of the Criminal Code prohibits soliciting sexual intercourse or other sexual acts with a person under the age of 16, as well as creating or producing child pornography (grooming). As a result, children aged 16 to 18 are not covered by this specific legal protection. Furthermore, it is worth noting that, Part 1 of Article 257 of the Labor Code also stipulates that it is prohibited to involve persons under the age of 18 in work aimed at the production, use, advertising, trade or any other means of distribution or sale of printed publications, films, video clips, television and radio programs, other materials or objects of a pornographic nature containing erotica, pornography, horror. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1996-06-27 ; 1998-09-16 | C182 | Law on the Rights of the Child - Article 29 ; Military Conscirption Act - Section 19 | [{"link_name":"-Law on the Rights of the Child","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?DocID=120909"},{"link_name":"-Military Conscription Act","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/55534"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | According to Article 29 of the Law on the Rights of the Child, it is prohibited to involve children in military operations, armed conflicts, propaganda of war and violence among children, and the formation of militarized child units. It is prohibited to allow children under the age of 15 to participate in military operations. During armed conflicts, the state and its relevant agencies ensure the special protection of children. Section 19 of the Military Conscription Act , adopted on 16 September 1998, stipulates that males can be conscripted for compulsory military service from the age of 18. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2022-07-01 | C182 | Criminal Code - Article 189 | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/Criminal%20Code%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Armenia%20%282022%29%20%28English%29.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 189 of the Criminal Code explicitly prohibits child trafficking and exploitation. Besides, Article 3.2 of the Labor Code prohibits forced or compulsory labor. Forced or compulsory labor is any work or service that is required of a person or performed by a person under the threat of force or coercion of any kind and for which that person has not voluntarily expressed his or her consent, except for the cases provided for by the Labor Code. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2006-02-02 | C138 & C182 | Decision No. 2308-N on the Approval of the List of Works Considered Difficult and Harmful for Persons Under 18 Years of Age, Pregnant Women, and Caring for a Child Under One Year Old | [{"link_name":"Decision No. 2308-N","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?DocID=21817"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Decision No. 2308-N on the Approval of the List of Works Considered Difficult and Harmful for Persons Under 18 Years of Age, Pregnant Women, and Caring for a Child Under One Year Old establishes a list of types of hazardous work prohibited to persons under 18. This list specifies prohibited types of hazardous work, including exposure to chemical agents, physical factors, biological factors and industrial agents. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2004-11-09 | C138 & C182 | Labour Code - Article 257 | [{"link_name":"Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Article 257 of the Labour Code states that, it is prohibited to engage persons under the age of 18 in heavy, harmful, particularly heavy, particularly harmful work defined by the legislation, as well as in work considered heavy and harmful for persons under the age of 18, except for the cases provided for below. The list of work considered heavy and harmful for persons under the age of 18 is established by the Government. Persons aged 16-18 may be involved in the production of alcoholic beverages within the framework of work-based learning under a vocational education and training program, as well as in the work provided for above, if this is due to the qualification features of the educational program and is inevitably necessary to ensure the final results of the study, as well as the limit value of hazardous substance emissions provided for by the legislation is maintained. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | No information | C138 | No information | [{"link_name":"No information","source_link":"No information"}] | No | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | No information |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1999-04-14 ; 2004-11-09 | C138 | Law on Education - Article 18(7) ; Labor Code | [{"link_name":"-Law on Education","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/documentview.aspx?docid=94711"},{"link_name":"-Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Article 18(7) on general education specifies that the Basic General education shall be mandatory, the requirement of being compulsory shall be maintained until the learner attains the age of 16. This coincides with the minimum age for admission to work as stipulated by the Labour Code. Furthermore, although the Labor Code does not prohibit persons under the age of 18 from working, it nevertheless stipulates that they may work outside the hours specified for compulsory schooling, subject to the daily and weekly working hours and other restrictions provided for in the Labor Code for such persons. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2004-11-09 | C138 | Labor Code - Article 17.1 and Article 140 | [{"link_name":"Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Although no precise minimum age for admission to work is defined in Armenia national legal framework, Article 17.1 of the Labor Code states that, persons under the age of 14 may be involved only in the creative activities or accomplishments of performances in cinematographic, sports, theatrical or concert organizations, in the circus, on television or on the radio (creative work). A temporary employment contract should be signed with persons under the age of 16. Persons under the age of 18 may only be engaged in work that does not endanger their health (including physical and mental development), morals, does not threaten their safety, and does not interfere with their compulsory education. Persons under the age of 18 have the right to preferential working conditions. A reduced working time is established for these persons in Article 140 of the Text. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2004-11-09 | C138 | Labor Code - Article 17.1 | [{"link_name":"Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | N/A | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | No minimum age for admission to work is determined in Armenia national legal framework. However, it is worth noting that, Article 17.1 of the Labor Code stipulates that every person under the age of 18 has the right to engage in work activities not prohibited by the Labor Code and other laws, in accordance with his age capabilities, developmental characteristics and abilities. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2004-11-09 | C138 | Labor Code - Article 15 | [{"link_name":"Labor Code","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/51/latest"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | According to Part 2 of Article 15 of the Labor Code, the legal capacity to work and the ability of a citizen to acquire and exercise labor rights through his actions, to create labor obligations for himself and to fulfill them (working capacity) fully arises from the moment of reaching the age of sixteen, except for cases provided for by the Labor Code and other laws. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 02-JAN-2006 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 27-JAN-2006 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The aim of the programme is to ensure that children in difficult circumstances are able to live in a family environment and be included in society. The priorities of this programme include to strengthen the child rights protection system; provide comprehensive support for children and families in difficult life situations while promoting stable sources of income and employment; ensure a unified approach and effective cooperation among all stakeholders in child protection; uphold every child’s right to live in a family environment and prevent institutionalisation; and improve the accessibility and targeting of social services for children. | [{"link_name":"Comprehensive Program for the Implementation of the Right of the Child to Live in a Family and Harmonious Development","source_link":"https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/140949"}] | 2020-2023 | Comprehensive Program for the Implementation of the Right of the Child to Live in a Family and Harmonious Development | Department of Labour and Social Affairs |
| The Strategy Plan for the Protection of the Rights of the Child was adopted on 13 July 2017. The Government Protocol Decree on Establishing the Timetable of the Measures for the Implementation of the 2017–21 Strategy Plan for the Protection of the Rights of the Child was also approved, which envisages to establish a supervision and monitoring mechanism in relation to the protection of the rights of working children. The Action Plan for the National Strategy on Human Rights Protection approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia outlines various actions and reforms across multiple human rights issues, including healthcare, education, social security, and more, to be implemented within specific timeframes. Regarding child labour, the main priorities outlined in the document are: Regulation of Child Work: Establishing laws to regulate the inclusion of children under the age of 14 in permissible work, ensuring it is safe and appropriate. Prevention of Exploitation: Implementing measures to assist children released from penitentiary establishments in integrating into the labour market and preventing their exploitation. Support for Vulnerable Children: Developing action plans to reorganize alternative services for child care and protection institutions, focusing on children in difficult life situations. Awareness and Training: Raising awareness among officials and the public about the issues of child labour and providing training to identify and support victims of domestic violence, which often intersects with child labour issues. These actions aim to protect children from exploitation and ensure their rights are upheld in accordance with international standards. | [{"link_name":"Strategy Plan for the Protection of the Rights of the Child","source_link":"https://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/source/NAP/Armenia-National-Action-Plan-on-Human-Rights.pdf"}] | 2017-2021 | Strategy Plan for the Protection of the Rights of the Child | Committee on the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labour |