Country profile MOZ
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5-17 | 13.9 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 12.2 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-17 | 13.1 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, 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? | 1997-11-18 | C182 | Law 3/97 on Drugs - Article 33 and Article 40 | [{"link_name":"Law 3/97 on Drugs","source_link":"https://reformar.co.mz/documentos-diversos/lei-3-97-de-13-de-marco-criacao-da-lei-de-psicotropicos-e-estupefacientes.pdf/view"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | In its Article 33, the Law on Drugs prohibits the traffic of drugs and the involvment in any other illicit activities. Article 40 of that same text defines the committing of such offence on a child as an aggravating factor. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2008-07-09 | C182 | Law no. 6/2008 on Trafficking in persons - Article 5, a) ; Article 11 and Article | [{"link_name":"Law no. 6/2008 on Trafficking in persons","source_link":"https://clr.africanchildforum.org/Legislation%20Per%20Country/2015%20Update/Mozambique/mozambique_trafficking_2008_en.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. | Article 5(a) of the law stipulates that the fact that the victim is a child is an aggravating circumstance. Article 11 prohibits trafficking in persons, particularly for the purposes of pornography or sexual exploitation. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1978-03-23 | C182 | Law No. 4/78 on Compulsory Service - Article 1 | [{"link_name":"Law No. 4/78 on Compulsory Service","source_link":"https://clr.africanchildforum.org/Legislation%20Per%20Country/Mozambique/mozambique_defence_1978_pr.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 1 of the law sets the minimum age for compulsory military service to 18 thus prohibiting the forced recruitment of children below that age. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2008-07-09 | C182 | Trafficking in Persons Law - Article 5 (a), Article 10 and Article 11 | [{"link_name":"Trafficking in Persons Law","source_link":"https://clr.africanchildforum.org/Legislation%20Per%20Country/2015%20Update/Mozambique/mozambique_trafficking_2008_en.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. | Articles 10 and 11 of the Law, punish respectively the trafficking in persons and the pornography and sexual exploitation. Article 5 of the same text, for its part, deems cases in which the victim is a child to be aggravating circumstances. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2017-12-01 | C138 & C182 | Decree No. 69/2017 on approval of the list of work considered dangerous for minors | [{"link_name":"Decree No. 69/2017","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106420/decreto%2068%20mozambique.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. | The Decree No.69/2017 provides the list of hazardous jobs prohibited to children below the age of 18. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2023-08-25 | C138 & C182 | Labour Law No. 13/2023 - Article 29.3. | [{"link_name":"Labour Law No. 13/2023","source_link":"https://ts.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lei-No-13-2023-de-25-de-Agosto-NOVA-LEI-DO-TRABALHO-BR_165_I_SEI_RIE_2Ao__230831_091658.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 29.3. stipulates that employers must not employ people under the age of 18 “in unhealthy, dangerous or physically demanding work, as defined by the competent authorities after consultation with trade unions and employers' organizations”. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2023-08-25 | C138 | Labour Law No. 13/2023 - Article 249.3. | [{"link_name":"Labour Law No. 13/2023","source_link":"https://ts.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lei-No-13-2023-de-25-de-Agosto-NOVA-LEI-DO-TRABALHO-BR_165_I_SEI_RIE_2Ao__230831_091658.pdf"}] | 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 249. 3. sets the minimum age for apprenticeship to 12 years. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2018-12-28 | C138 | National Education System Act No. 18/2018 - Section 7(1) | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4314895,102964:NO"}] | 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. | In a Direct Request it published in 2023, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) notes the implementation of the revised National Education System Act No. 18/2018 " section 7(1) of which makes it compulsory to attend school until the completion of ninth grade, whereas earlier it was until the completion of seventh grade". Given that children must be enrolled in school from the age of 6, this law revision brings the age of completion of compulsory education to 15 years, which is below the minimum age of 18 years for admission to work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2023-08-23 | C138 | Labour Law No. 13/2023 - Article 29.4. and Article 29.5. | [{"link_name":"Labour Law No. 13/2023","source_link":"https://ts.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lei-No-13-2023-de-25-de-Agosto-NOVA-LEI-DO-TRABALHO-BR_165_I_SEI_RIE_2Ao__230831_091658.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 29.4. of the Labour Law provides that, for the children aged more than 15, that are exceptionally admitted to work, the normal working period should not exceed 25 hours per week and 5 hours per day. Article 29.5. of that same text stipulates that "the Council of Ministers defines the nature and conditions under which work provision may be carried out by minors aged between 15 and 18 years"; Although, it brings no further concrete indications about the circumstances under which light work may be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2023-08-25 | C138 | Labour Law No. 13/2023 - Article 29.2. | [{"link_name":"Labour Law No. 13/2023","source_link":"https://ts.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lei-No-13-2023-de-25-de-Agosto-NOVA-LEI-DO-TRABALHO-BR_165_I_SEI_RIE_2Ao__230831_091658.pdf"}] | 15 | 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 29.2. of the text sets the minimum age for light work to 15 years provided that the child has an authorization from his legal representatives. The new labour law has raised the minimum age for light work from 12 to 15. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2023-08-25 | C138 | Labour Law No. 13/2023 - Article 29.1. | [{"link_name":"Labour Law No. 13/2023","source_link":"https://ts.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lei-No-13-2023-de-25-de-Agosto-NOVA-LEI-DO-TRABALHO-BR_165_I_SEI_RIE_2Ao__230831_091658.pdf"}] | 18 | 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. | The new labour law raises the minimum working age from 15 to 18. |
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) | 16-JUN-2003 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 16-JUN-2003 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To promote coordinated action aligned with national policies and legislation on the promotion and protection of children’s rights, PNAC III (2025–2034) is structured around five priority areas: Child Survival; Child Development; Child Protection; Child Participation; Climate Change and Emergencies. Among the key targets established under the plan are: Expanding children’s access to quality pre-primary education from 2.3% in 2023 to 10% by 2034; Increasing the gross enrolment rate in lower secondary education from 43% in 2024 to 50% by 2034; Reducing the incidence of early marriage from 41% in 2019 to 31% by 2030 and 27% by 2034; Raising the proportion of reported cases of violence against children brought to trial from 40% in 2019 to 60% by 2030 and 80% by 2034; Expanding basic social assistance coverage for households living in poverty and vulnerability from 18.6% in 2024 to 27.74% by 2030 and 28.26% by 2034. | [{"link_name":"PNAC III","source_link":"https://www.unicef.org/mozambique/media/8941/file/PNAC_III_final.pdf.pdf"}] | 2025–2034 | National Action Plan for Children (PNAC III) | Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Action |
| The Committee on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted that "good progress was achieved in terms of the creation of a more favourable environment for the realization of children’s rights in the country while the PNAC II was in force, despite some challenges. For example, progress has been made regarding health, birth registration, basic education and participation in relevant areas in accordance with the age and level of maturity of the children in question". Some sources seem to suggests that the Government is working on a PNAC III for the years 2023-2032. This program should have a special focus on the protection of children who are victims of terrorism and violent extremism, and climate change. | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4314895,102964:NO"}] | 2013-2019 | National Action Plan for Children (PNAC II) | No information |
| The plan sough to reduce the worst forms of child labour by meeting the key following objectives : a) Removing, rehabilitating and integrating children involved in hazardous works; b) Raising awareness and mobilizing communities and the general public to change their behaviour regarding the involvement of children in the the worst forms of child labour; c) Strengthen the legal, political and institutional framework to prevent\eliminate the involvement of children in hazardous work; d) Increase access to appropriate education and vocational training programs for children; e) Increase access to social protection for families affected by worst forms of child labour. In a Direct Request published in 2023, the CEACR took notes of the results achieved through the implementation on the plan, including : "(i) basic social assistance for families in vulnerable circumstances (624,507 beneficiary families); (ii) awareness-raising through television and radio programmes and discussions in communities; (iii) approximately 996 presentations given in 2020 to capitalize on experiences gained on prevention and protection of children’s rights and to share these experiences with communities; and (iv) the production and distribution of brochures on various aspects of child labour and hazardous work.". | [{"link_name":"-PANPFTI","source_link":"https://www.kufunda.net/publicdocs/MOZ106421.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4314895,102964"}] | 2017–2022 | National Action Plan to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labor (PANPFTI) | Mozambiquan government |