Country profile PAN
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10-17 | 2.4 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 10-17 | 1.5 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2023 | 10-17 | 1.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 3.3 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 1.4 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 2.3 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | UN SDG Indicators Database |
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? | 1994-05-17 | C182 | Family Code - Articles 484, 489.16 | [{"link_name":"Family Code","source_link":"http://200.46.165.35/audinet/assets/4-c%C3%B3digo-de-familia.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 489.16 of the Family Code prohibits the use of minors in the producing and trafficking of illicit substances and punishes those who use minors for such purposes. As defined by Article 484 of this same Code, a minor is a person below the age of 18 years. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2007-06-18 | C182 | Penal Code - Article 448 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CODIGO-PENAL-2019-FINAL-1.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 448 prohibits de recruitment of children below the age of 18 years for the purpose of armed conflicts. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2007-05-18 ; 1994-05-17 | C182 | Penal Code - Articles 179 and 184 ; Family Code - Article 484 | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CODIGO-PENAL-2019-FINAL-1.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Family Code","source_link":"http://200.46.165.35/audinet/assets/4-c%C3%B3digo-de-familia.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 179 punishes anyone who corrupts or promotes the corruption of a person under the age of 18 by making them participate in or witness behavior of a sexual nature. For its part, Article 184 punishes the use of minors for child pornography. As stated in Article 484 of the Family Code, a minor is a person aged less than 18 years. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2007-05-18 ; 1994-05-17 ; 2022-02-15 | C182 | Penal Code - Article 205 to 208 ; Family Code - Article 484 ; Act No. 285 of 15 February 2022 establishing the system of guarantees and comprehensive protection of the rights of children and adolescents and enacting other provisions - Article 110 | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CODIGO-PENAL-2019-FINAL-1.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Family Code","source_link":"http://200.46.165.35/audinet/assets/4-c%C3%B3digo-de-familia.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Act No. 285 of 15 February 2022","source_link":"http://gacetas.procuraduria-admon.gob.pa/29477-C_57783.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 484 of the Family Code defines a minor as a person below the age of 18 years, Article 205 to 208 of the Penal Code prohibits the trafficking of minors. In addition, Article 110 of the Act No. 285 of 15 February 2022 prohibits the commercialisation of children and adolescents for the purposes of sexual exploitation, use in pornography, sale and/or use of their organs, forced labour or any other purpose that degrades them. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2016-01-05 | C138 & C182 | Executive Decree No. 1 of 5 January 2016 amending and adding articles to Executive Decree No. 19 of 12 June 2006, which approves the list of hazardous child labour, within the framework of the worst forms of child labour - Article 1 | [{"link_name":"Executive Decree No. 1 of 5 January 2016","source_link":"https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/27944_C/GacetaNo_27944c_20160108.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 1 of the Decree set the list of activities prohibited to children ; It includes work underground, work involving moving objects or animals, transporting or moving passengers or goods, work involving exposure to explosive or flammable substances, work involving exposure to noise and vibrations, etc. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1946-11-11 | C138 & C182 | Labour Code - Article 118 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code","source_link":"https://docs.panama.justia.com/federales/codigos/codigo-de-trabajo.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 118 of the Labour Code prohibits the employment of children aged less than 18 years in hazadous occupations. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1946-11-11; 2016-04-01 | C138 | Labour Code - Article 281 ; Resolution No. CD-03-16 - Article 1 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Code","source_link":"https://docs.panama.justia.com/federales/codigos/codigo-de-trabajo.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Resolution No. CD-03-16","source_link":"https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/28058_A/GacetaNo_28058a_20160622.pdf"}] | 15 | 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 281 of the Labour Code defines apprenticeship as the methodical and comprehensive vocational training for workers under the age of 18 and over the age of 15. Furthermore, it should be noted that, Section 1 of Resolution No. CD-03-16 of Friday, 1 April 2016 approves the inclusion of minors aged 16 and above in national strategic plans for vocational training, job training, and business management training. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1946 | C138 | Organic Law on Education - Article 75 | [{"link_name":"Organic Law on Education","source_link":"https://vlex.com.pa/vid/ley-47-1946-ley-1049312809"}] | 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 75 of the Organic Law on Education stipulates that no child under the age of 15 may engage in any work or activity that deprives them of the right to attend school regularly. This provision difers from the minimum age for admission to work which set to 14 years. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | Labour Code - Articles 119 and 123 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code","source_link":"https://docs.panama.justia.com/federales/codigos/codigo-de-trabajo.pdf"}] | 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. | Articles 119 and 123 of the Labour Code allow children to work from 12 years for domestic and agricultural activities as long as it takes place outside of school hours. Nevertheless, the Panamian legal framework does not determine the precise types and conditions under which such work may be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1946-11-11 | C138 | Labour Code - Article 119 and Article 123 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code","source_link":"https://docs.panama.justia.com/federales/codigos/codigo-de-trabajo.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 119 of the Labour Code states that, on farms, children between the ages of 12 and 15 may be employed only in light work and outside of school hours. In addition, Article 123 of the same text stipulates that, minors over the age of 12 are permitted to work as domestic employees in light work, subject to authorization from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and provided that the provisions of Article 119 regarding their education are complied with. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2016-04-05 | C138 | Political Constitution of the Panamian Republic - Article 70 | [{"link_name":"Political Constitution of the Panamian Republic","source_link":"https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/constitucion-politica-con-indice-analitico.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 70 of the Constitution prohibits the employment of children aged below 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) | 31-OCT-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 31-OCT-2000 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The CETIPPAT is a permanent high-level inter-institutional committee established by Executive Decree No. 107 of 11 June 2013 (as part of the legal framework updating the earlier Decree No. 25 of 15 April 1997) in the Republic of Panama, whose role is to advise, coordinate and harmonize the national policy response for the elimination of child labour and the protection of adolescent workers. The committee brings together representatives from relevant ministries, social partners and civil society, and is tasked with developing, promoting and monitoring the road-map towards a Panama free of child labour and its worst forms. Among its functions are to guarantee formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes for prevention and eradication of child labour; to coordinate capacity-building among institutions; to oversee allocation of human, material and financial resources for implementation of the national strategy; and to promote research, awareness-raising and mobilisation aimed at child labour elimination and adolescent worker protection. | [{"link_name":"CETIPPAT","source_link":"https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/29972_A/103051.pdf"}] | 2024 | Decree No. 2 of 20 February 2024 amending articles of Decree No. 107 of 11 June 2013 to create the Committee for the Eradication of Child Labour and Protection of Adolescent Workers (CETIPPAT) | Ministry of Labour and Employment Development |
| In a Direct Request published in 2021, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), noted : "This programme ensures the development and implementation of the strategy for the management of child labour cases. It consists of a mechanism for the monitoring and follow-up of children who work, specifically in the street and in certain high-risk areas, and children in situations of vulnerability; activities carried out in schools; actions to support families and also the granting of conditional cash transfers for each child engaged in work who undertakes to continue his or her studies. In 2018, 1,451 children received a conditional cash transfer. In 2018–2019, nearly 10,000 persons from the community and public institutions were involved in training or awareness-raising activities on the elimination of child labour. The Government adds that, in the context of this programme, children who work or are at risk of doing so are cared for by an institutional network whose areas of operation include education and health. It explains that in 2019–20 nearly 3,000 children and young persons benefited from the National Direct Action Programme for the prevention and elimination of child labour. The Government also refers to the implementation of the “Districts without child labour” strategy, which enables work plans tailored to the districts to be drawn up in order to prevent and eradicate child labour.". | [{"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:4056412,102792:NO"}] | No information | National Direct Action Programme for the prevention and elimination of child labour | Panamian Government |
| The plan aims at eradicating child labour, particularly hazardous and exploitative forms. Its main objectives are to prevent and eliminate child labour, ensure access to education and social protection for affected children, strengthen institutions and legal enforcement, and promote coordinated inter-institutional action through inspections, awareness campaigns, and scholarship programs. In essence, it combines prevention, protection, education, and law enforcement to achieve a child-labor-free Panama. In the context of this programme, a child labour monitoring system has been developed and a module for the eradication of child labour has been put in place for key actors. | [{"link_name":"Roadmap Action Programme for making Panama a country free of child labour","source_link":"https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/panama_documento_estrategico_hoja_de_ruta.pdf"}] | 2016-2019 | Roadmap Action Programme for making Panama a country free of child labour | Committee for the Eradication of Child Labour and Protection of Adolescent Workers (CETIPPAT) |
| The plan seeks to combat human trafficking through a comprehensive approach centered on prevention, awareness-raising, victim protection, stronger prosecution of crimes, and enhanced international cooperation. Its specific objectives include: supporting victims of trafficking and facilitating their reintegration; ensuring the effective enforcement of the legal framework against trafficking in persons; systematically registering and documenting reported cases of human trafficking, etc. | [{"link_name":"National Plan Against Trafficking in Persons","source_link":"https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/29890_A/GacetaNo_29890a_20231016.pdf"}] | 2022-2027 | National Plan Against Trafficking in Persons | Inter-institutional and Multisectoral Steering Committee |