Country profile CAF
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5-17 | 26.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 17.342 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 19.488 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 18.378 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 24.9 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 29 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2009-01-29 | C138 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article. 166 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | 14 | 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. | Article. 166 of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to apprenticeship to 14 years. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1997-12-10 | C138 | Act No. 97/014 respecting education policy | [{"link_name":"Act No. 97/014 respecting education policy","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_LANG_CODE:2334715,en:NO"}] | 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. | In an Observation published in 2011, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted that the age of completion of compulsory schooling is 14 years, thus aligning with the minimum age for admission to work. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1986-05-21 | C138 & C182 | Decree no. 006 laying down the conditions of employment of young workers, as well as the nature of the work and the categories of company prohibited to young people and the age limit to which the prohibition applies - Article 6. | [{"link_name":"Decree no. 006","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/caf207146.pdf"}] | 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. | Article 6. of the Decree lists the 8 activities prohibited to children below the age of 18. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1986-05-21 | C138 | Decree no. 006 laying down the conditions of employment of young workers, as well as the nature of the work and the categories of company prohibited to young people and the age limit to which the prohibition applies - Article 3. and Article 4. | [{"link_name":"Decree no. 006","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/caf207146.pdf"}] | Yes | 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. | Article 3. of the Decree provides a list of light work allowed to children above the age of 12 including : "a) light domestic work corresponding to jobs of kitchen hands, assistant cooks, little boys, babysitters ; b) picking gathering and sorting work carried out on farms ; c) light work of a non-industrial nature, subject to the express authorization of the Labour and Social Law Inspector of the jurisdiction". Article 4. sets the conditions under which such light work may be carried out, namely: "a) children attending an educational establishment may only be employed during the vacation period and for a period not exceeding two hours per day; b) children not attending an education establishment may only be employed for a period not exceeding four hours per day; c) no work may be performed on Sundays and public holidays or holidays recognized as holidays; d) no work may be performed between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.". |
| Minimum age for light work | 1986-05-21 | C138 | Decree no. 006 laying down the conditions of employment of young workers, as well as the nature of the work and the categories of company prohibited to young people and the age limit to which the prohibition applies - Article 3. | [{"link_name":"Decree no. 006","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/caf207146.pdf"}] | 12 | 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. | Article 3. of the Decree sets the minimum age for light work to 12 years. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2009-01-29 | C138 & C182 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article. 3 ; Article.262 and Article.263 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | 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. | While Article. 3 defines a child as any person below the age of 18, Article. 262 defines worst forms of child labour notably as work which, by its nature or the the conditions under which they are carried out, are likely to be harmful to the health, safety or morality of the child. For its part, Article. 263 prohibits any forms of worst forms of child labour. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2009-01-29 | C182 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article.3 ; Article.262 and Article.263 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | While Article. 3 defines a child as any person below the age of 18, Article. 262 defines worst forms of child labour notably as the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. For its part, Article. 263 prohibits any forms of worst forms of child labour, thus prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2009-01-29 | C182 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article.3 ; Article.262 and Article.263 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | Yes | 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. | While Article. 3 defines a child as any person below the age of 18, Article. 262 defines worst forms of child labour notably as the procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution, pornography or pornographic performances. For its part, Article. 263 prohibits any forms of worst forms of child labour, thus prohibiting the use, procuring or offering of a child for pornography or prostitution. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2009-01-29 | C182 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article.3 ; Article.262 and Article.263 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | 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. | While Article. 3 defines a child as any person below the age of 18, Article. 262 defines worst forms of child labour notably as the forced or compulsory recruitment, of children for use in armed conflict. For its part, Article. 263 prohibits any forms of worst forms of child labour, thus prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children below the age of 18 years for forced or compulsory recruitment. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2009-01-29 | C182 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article.3 ; Article.262 and Article.263 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | 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. | While Article. 3 defines a child as any person below the age of 18, Article. 262 defines worst forms of child labour notably as all forms of slavery or practices similar such as the sale and trafficking of children debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour. For its part, Article. 263 prohibits any forms of worst forms of child labour, thus prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children below the age of 18 years for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2009-01-29 | C138 | Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code - Article. 259 | [{"link_name":"Law No.09.004 on the Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.droit-afrique.com/upload/doc/rca/RCA-Code-2009-du-travail.pdf"}] | 14 | 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. | Article. 259 of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to work to 14 years. |
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) | 28-JUN-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 28-JUN-2000 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The plan aims at reaching 3 key pillars including : Supporting peace, security and reconciliation ; Renewing the social contract between the State and population ; Ensure the economic recovery and the relaunch of productive sectors. To meet such objectives, some measure target directly children. For instance, the plan seek to promote the reduction of violence through the disarmament and reintegration of ex-combatants and children associated with armed groups or to provide basic services to the population throughout the territory, particularly in the field of education. | [{"link_name":"RCPCA","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/caf165766.pdf"}] | 2017-2021 | National Recovery and Peace Consolidation Plan (RCPCA) | RCPCA Steering Committee |
| While the Plan's main objective is to Strengthen women's participation at all decision-making levels, especially in conflict prevention, management, and resolution, and peace consolidation; it contains some specific measure to support girls to stay in the school and university system for as long as possible as well at to support their schooling in post-conflict situations. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan to Implement the \"Women, Peace and Security\" UN Council Security Resolution and Related Resolutions","source_link":"https://wpsfocalpointsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PAN-2-R1325-RCA_2019-002.pdf"}] | 2019-2022 | National Action Plan to Implement the "Women, Peace and Security" UN Council Security Resolution and Related Resolutions | Ministry for the advancement of women, family and child protection |
| The Plan aims to : increase access to education and training; train, recruit and assign teachers throughout the country; improve the quality of teaching, in particular by improving training and pedagogical monitoring of pupils; reform governance and increase funding for the education system. | [{"link_name":"PSE","source_link":"https://www.globalpartnership.org/fr/node/document/download?file=document/file/2021-02-01-gpe-plan-sectoriel-de-education-republique-centrafricaine-2020-2029.pdf"}] | 2020-2029 | Education Sector Plan (PSE) | PSE Steering Committee |