Country profile LBN
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? | 2012-09-29 and 2002-06-06 | C182 | Decree 8987 concerning the prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in work that may harm their health, safety or morals - Annex 1 - Para. 3 ; Law No. 422 of 2002 regulating the Protection of children who violate the law or are at risk | [{"link_name":"-Decree 8987","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=92729#:~:text=Decree%20No.-,8987%20of%202012%20concerning%20the%20prohibition%20of%20employment%20of%20minors,their%20health%2C%20safety%20or%20morals."},{"link_name":"-Law regulating the Protection of children who violate the law or are at risk","source_link":"http://77.42.251.205/Law.aspx?lawId=244401"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Annex No. (1) 3 of the Decree lists "any illicit work or activity or any work or activity that violates the criminal laws, such as the transportation, sale, marketing, dealing or use of all kinds of drugs" among the activities prohibited for children below 18 years. In addition, it is worth highlighting that Law No. 422 of 2002 regulates the Protection of children who violate the law or are at risk. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2012-09-29 and 2022-06-06 | C182 | Law No.422 on the Protection of children who violate the law or are at risk ; Decree No. 8987 on the prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in work that may harm their health, safety or morals - Annex No. (1) 3 | [{"link_name":"Law No.422","source_link":"http://77.42.251.205/LawArticles.aspx?LawTreeSectionID=279413&LawID=244401&language=ar"},{"link_name":"Decree No. 8987","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=92729#:~:text=Decree%20No.-,8987%20of%202012%20concerning%20the%20prohibition%20of%20employment%20of%20minors,their%20health%2C%20safety%20or%20morals."}] | 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. | Article 25 (2) of the Law on the Protection of children who violate the law or are at risk states that a minor is considered at risk if they are the victim of sexual assault. Furthermore, Annex No. (1) 3 of the Decree lists as an activity prohibited to minors under 18 years, the involvement in any work using or exploiting the child's body for sexual or pornographic purposes or similar acts. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1983-09-16 | C182 | Decree No. 102 on National Defence Law - Article 30. 2. B ; Decree No. 8987 on The prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in works that may harm their health, safety or morals - Annex No. (1) 1 | [{"link_name":"-Decree No. 102","source_link":"https://www.mod.gov.lb/sites/default/files/2019-08/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Decree No. 8987","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/92729/Decree%208987.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. | Article 30. 2. B of the law stipulates that anyone wishing to enlist voluntarily in the army must be at least 18 years old. Besides, Paragraph 1 of Annex 1 of the Decree 8987 prohibits activities requiring handling explosives, wearing weapons, engaging in combats or war to children aged less than 18 years. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2011-09-01 | C182 | Law No. 164 Punishment for the Crime of Trafficking in Persons - Article 586.1 and Article 586.5. E) | [{"link_name":"Law No. 164","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=89807"}] | 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 586.1 of the law criminalizes human trafficking, while Article 586.5(e) classifies it as an aggravating circumstance when the victim is under the age of eighteen. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2012-09-29 | C138 & C182 | Decree No. 8987 on the prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in works that may harm their health, safety or morals | [{"link_name":"Decree No. 8987","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=92729"}] | 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. | The Decree provides with a list of works and activities which are prohibited for minors under 18 years including activities involving physical hazards, psychological hazards, moral hazards and activities limiting education. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2022-07-07 | C138 | Decree 9706 Regulating and defining the conditions for free and compulsory education | [{"link_name":"Decree 9706","source_link":"http://www.pcm.gov.lb/archive/j2022/j31/wfm/m9706.htm#"}] | No | 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 6 of the Decree stipulates that schooling is compulsory until the child reaches the age of 16, which is higher than the minimum age for admission to employment, set at 14 years. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1946-09-23 | C138 | Labour Code Law, 1946 - Article 25 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Code Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/39255/LBN39255%202010.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4366390,103147"}] | 12 | 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 25 of the Law stipulates that the prohibition on employing children under the age of 14 does not apply if the child is at least 12 years old, enrolled in vocational training, and following a programme that specifies the nature of the trades, working hours, and conditions. The programme must be approved by both the Ministry of Labour and Public Health Services. Additionally, since this provision establishes a derogation from Articles 22 and 23 of the Law, the CEACR, in an Observation published in 2024, recalls that these articles of the Labour Code pertain to the minimum age for employment or work, as well as the minimum age for hazardous work. It further emphasizes that children below the general minimum age for employment or work may engage in vocational training and apprenticeships, even under hazardous conditions, provided they meet the requirements outlined in these sections of the Labour Code. The Committee also reiterates that exceptions to the minimum age for employment or work do not extend to hazardous work. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2012-10-02 ; 1946-09-23 | C138 & C182 | Decree 8987 on The prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in works that may harm their health, safety or morals- Article 1 ; Labour Code Law, 1946 - Article 23 | [{"link_name":"Decree 8987","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/92729/Decree%208987.pdf"},{"link_name":"Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Lebanon/LB_Code_Travail_EN.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. | Article 1 of the Decree 8987 prohibits hazardous work to children aged less than 18 years. However, Article 23 of the Labour Code still needs to be updated, as it prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16 in work that is hazardous or may endanger life, health, or public morals due to the conditions in which it is performed. |
| Minimum age for light work | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/39255/LBN39255%202010.pdf"}] | 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. | The Labour Code Law, 1946, makes no mention of a minimum age for light work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_LANG_CODE:4366390,en:NO"}] | 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. | In an Observation published in 2024, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) notes that "the Government does not appear to envisage regulating light work for children over 13 years of age" and requests the Government "to indicate whether it intends to adopt a statute or regulation formulating the conditions in which and number of hours during which light work may be undertaken", thus implying that no such law has yet been implemented. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1946-09-23 | C138 | Labour Code Law, 1946 - Article 22 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/39255/LBN39255%202010.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 22 of the Law provides for the prohibition of the employment of children who have not yet completed their thirteenth year of age, thus setting 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) | 11-SEP-2001 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 10-JUN-2003 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lebanon Response Plan 2024-2025 (LRP) is an integrated humanitarian and stabilization response plan co-led by the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations, supported by international and national partners. The plan sets out to respond to challenges in a holistic manner through providing immediate assistance to and ensuring protection of vulnerable populations; supporting service provision through national systems; and supporting Lebanon’s economic, social and environmental stability. Based on the needs identified by affected communities, the Government and its partners, the LRP presents a prioritized and evidence-based appeal of $2.72 billion in 2024 and $2.99 billion in 2025 to fund partners’ coordinated interventions across eleven sectors. High poverty rates force many displaced Syrian families to rely on child labour as a survival strategy, a situation worsened by restrictive measures throughout the year that have limited the movement of adult male family members. Under the LRP, the child protection sector will i) strengthen the protective environment of children, through awareness-raising and preventive measures, as well as capacity strengthening of formal and informal child protection systems; (ii) provide multilayered psychosocial services to affected children, by strengthening community-based protection mechanisms and offering structured support for their well-being and recovery; iii) support children at heightened risk, and provide them with quality multi-sectoral assistance to meet their protection and essential needs. | [{"link_name":"Source","source_link":"https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-response-plan-2025"}] | 2024-2025 | Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) | Lebanese Government |
| In an Observation published in 2024, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) took note of the existence of the NAP-ESB "which seeks to end child begging by ensuring legal protection for children on the streets, building capacity to protect them, rehabilitating and reintegrating them, and conducting outreach regarding the problem". In addition, it is worth noting that the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) is currently working on the reactivation of the National Action Plan to End Child Street Begging in the near future. | [{"link_name":"Source","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4366437,103147:NO"}] | No information | National Action Plan to End Street Begging by Children (NAP-ESB) | Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) |
| Although the Plan's central goal is to enhance the status of women in the Lebanese society, some of its provisions have a special focus on the development of a better social protection for children, on the improvement of their education and on the strengthening of the legal framework protecting them. These provisions include : to continue to organize awareness sessions for students in public and private schools on the prevention and combating of violence within the framework of the Child Protection Policy in schools ; to endorse a comprehensive package of services to bolster early childhood support, considering the assessment of quantities and costs associated with providing milk and food aid for infants, and contributing to family care expenses ; to prepare a child-friendly version of the Child Protection Policy in Schools (educating children about the mechanism of self-protection) ; to organize awareness sessions in social affairs centres about the safe monitoring and referral mechanism for children at risk ; to continue building the capacities of social workers in social affairs centres on intervention after exposure to shocks and in emergency situations, to protect children and provide psychological and social support ; to develop and institutionalize the early childhood development curriculum ; to advocate for the adoption of a law protecting children from early marriage. | [{"link_name":"Source","source_link":"https://nclw.gov.lb/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/National-Strategy-for-Women-in-Lebanon_National-Action-Plan-2024-2026_Eng-3.pdf"}] | 2022-2030 | National Strategy for Women in Lebanon | National Commission for Lebanese Women |
| Designed in collaboration with the ILO, the NAP aimed to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in Lebanon by the end of 2016. It also sought to raise awareness of child labour issues and reduce the overall number of working children in the country. In order to meet such goal, the plan followed 11 main objectives : 1.By the end of 2015, all Lebanese legislations are compatible with the international Conventions and Protocols regarding child rights and ready to be implemented ; 2. By the end of 2016, all children of the age of primary education benefit from their right to have free and compulsory education as per the National Education Strategy developed in 2010 ; 3. By the end of 2015, all children who are withdrawn from the worst forms of child labour are reintegrated into the educational system ; 4. Parents of children withdrawn from the worst forms of child labour and youth of working age obtain adequate jobs that enable them to improve their economic and social conditions ; 5. By the end of 2015, society is aware of, accepts responsibility for, and contributes to the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Lebanon ; 6. By the end of year 2016, the worst forms of child labour in the geographical areas of each development services centres are being eliminated ; 7. By the end of 2016, local authorities are conscious and aware of and participating in the elimination of the worst forms of child labour ; 8. By the end of 2016, NGOs and local communities become aware of and are effective in eliminating the worst forms of child labour in Lebanon ; 9. By the end of 2015, Lebanese society acquires solid and coherent protection mechanisms that are able to prevent children from engaging in the worst forms of child labour ; 10. By the end of 2016, all children exposed to the worst forms of child labour have been withdrawn ; 11. By the end of 2016, all children who have been withdrawn from the worst forms of child labour in Lebanon have been rehabilitated in professional rehabilitation centres established in various Lebanese regions, by the mid-2014, to provide psychological, health and social services to all children who have been withdrawn from the worst forms of child labour. Revitalized with the support of the ILO, the first meeting of the new National Steering Committee took place on September 2025. The Committee will hold monthly meetings to oversee the Child Labour situation in Lebanon and work on the NAP revision which shoul be updated in 2025-2026 with support from the ILO and Plan International. | [{"link_name":"Source","source_link":"http://data.infopro.com.lb/file/NationalActionPlantoEliminatetheWorstFormsofChildLabourinLebanonby2016MoL.pdf"}] | 2016 | National Action Plan (NAP) to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Lebanon by 2016 | National Steering Committee Against Child Labour |
| The plan aims at providing access to equitable and quality basic education, secondary education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and higher education to all children living in Lebanon. It wishes to build an education system of higher quality so that learning outcomes improve and that students leave with employable competencies and skills and; to improve the system's resilience so that crisis situations are effectively managed. To meet these objectives, the plan identified three main pillars, focusing respectively on equitable access, learning, and governance: Pillar 1: To increase equitable access, participation, and completion of education for all learners in Lebanon, with a focus on the most vulnerable ; Pillar 2: To ensure improved learning outcomes for children and youth through enhanced quality of education services ; Pillar 3: To ensure that the education system is effectively planned, managed and governed, so that resources are transformed into high-level results. | [{"link_name":"Source","source_link":"https://www.mehe.gov.lb/ar/SiteAssets/Lists/News/AllItems/5YP%20MEHE-GE%20__amend1_%20Feb%202022.pdf"}] | 2021-2025 | General Education Plan | Ministry of Education and Higher Education Steering Committee |