Country profile SLB
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5-14 | 17.1 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-14 | 18.6 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-14 | 17.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-14 | 13.8 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-14 | 13.8 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2015 | 5-14 | 13.8 | 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 sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2016 ; 2012 | C182 | Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 - Sections 141(2), 143 and145 ; Immigration Act 2012 - Section 77 | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016","source_link":"https://parliament.gov.sb/sites/default/files/legislation/10th_Parliament/Acts/2016/Penal%20Code%20%28Amdt%29%20%28Sexual%20Offences%29%20Act%202016.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Immigration Act 2012","source_link":"http://www.paclii.org/sb/legis/consol_act/ia2012138.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. | Section 145 of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 and section 77 of the Immigration Act 2012 prohibit trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Sections 141(2) and 143 of the Penal Code further prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1996 | C138 & C182 | Labour Act Cap 73 - Section 49 | [{"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:4368901,103193"},{"link_name":"-Labour Act Cap\u202f73","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.pdf"}] | No | 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. | Section 49 prohibits persons under 18 years from working underground in mines, on ships (as trimmers or stokers), or during the night in any industry. The Government has not yet adopted a comprehensive list of hazardous work but has indicated it is in the process of developing it with technical support from the ILO and in consultation with social partners, including employers’ and workers’ organizations. The CEACR and the ITUC have urged Solomon Islands to adopt the list without delay |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1996 | C138 & C182 | Labour Act (Cap. 73) - Section 49 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Act (Cap.\u202f73)","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4317663"}] | 16 | 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. | Section 49 prohibits employment of persons under 18 years of age in underground mines, on ships, as trimmers or stokers, or during the night in any industry, with an exception for male children aged 16 and above who are medically fit. The Government has indicated that the National Trade Training and Testing Unit ensures that young persons receive specific training before undertaking hazardous work. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | N/A | C182 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4368901"}] | No | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | According to the 2023 CEACR Observation, Solomon Islands’ current legislation does not explicitly prohibit using, procuring, or offering of children under 18 for producing or trafficking drugs. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2016 | C182 | Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 - Sections 141(2) and 143 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016","source_link":"https://parliament.gov.sb/sites/default/files/legislation/10th_Parliament/Acts/2016/Penal%20Code%20%28Amdt%29%20%28Sexual%20Offences%29%20Act%202016.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. | The Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 criminalises the use, procuring, or offering of a child under 18 for prostitution (via amended sections 141(2) & 143), and explicitly prohibits child pornography—covering both production and performance. Prostitution itself is legal, but activities involving children are clearly prohibited and punished under the amended Penal Code. Additionally, child pornography is illegal under national law, with penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment . |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | N/A | C182 | N/A | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"-"}] | 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. | The Solomon Islands has no standing military and no system of conscription or compulsory military service. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"Labour Act Cap\u202f73","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.pdf"}] | 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. | Although Solomon Islands law (Labour Act Cap 73, Parts IV & VI) establishes an Apprenticeship Scheme covering trades like carpentry, motor mechanics, and plumbing ﹣ and administered under national rules. However, no statutory minimum age for entry into apprenticeships has been specified. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2023 ; 1996 | C138 | Education Act 2023 ; Labour Act (Cap. 73) | [{"link_name":"-Education Act 2023","source_link":"http://www.paclii.org/sb/legis/num_act/ea2023104.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labour Act (Cap.\u202f73)","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.pdf"}] | 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. | The Education Act 2023, which came into force on 1 January 2024, establishes that compulsory school age begins at age 6 and extends to Year 9 (age 16) . However, despite this definition of compulsory schooling ending at age 16, the Labour Act maintains a minimum admission age of 14 for employment, meaning children may legally work before completing compulsory education. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1996 | C138 | Labour Act - Section 46 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Act (Cap.\u202f73)","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.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:4368895,103193"}] | 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. | Section 46 of the Labour Act permits children under 12 to be employed in light work when accompanied by a parent, with Labour Commissioner approval. However, the legislation does not define what activities constitute light work, nor does it set out the conditions or working hours for children aged 12–14. According to the CEACR, the Government has not yet aligned its legislation with Article 7(1) and (3) of Convention 138, but has stated that this issue will be addressed in the forthcoming labour law reform. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1996 | C138 | Labour Act (Cap. 73) | [{"link_name":"Labour Act (Cap.\u202f73)","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.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. | The Labour Act prohibits employment of children under 12 years, except allowing light agricultural or domestic work when performed by children in the company of their parents. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1996 | C138 | Labour Act (Cap. 73) | [{"link_name":"Labour Act (Cap.\u202f73)","source_link":"https://www.labour.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/07/Labour-Act-Cap-73.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. | The Labour Act sets the minimum age for admission to work at 14 years. Children under 15 are not allowed to work in industrial undertakings or on ships, unless approved by the Minister. However, the government has stated that no approvals have been granted, and in practice, formal employment begins at age 18. The legislation is currently under review. |
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) | 13-APR-2012 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 22-APR-2013 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A coordinated strategy led by the Anti‑Human Trafficking Advisory Committee (AHTAC), focusing on preventing and responding to trafficking, including child trafficking, through law enforcement, awareness, and victim services. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and People Smuggling","source_link":"https://roasiapacific.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl671/files/documents/2024-02/solomon-islands-tip-country-capacity-assessment-final.pdf"}] | 2020–2025 | National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and People Smuggling | Anti‑Human Trafficking Advisory Committee |
| A comprehensive framework developed in partnership between the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and UNICEF. It centres children’s rights, including protection from exploitation and trafficking, access to education, health, and participation. | [{"link_name":"National Children\u2019s Policy","source_link":"https://solomons.gov.sb/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Solomon-Islands-National-Children-Policy-2023-2028.pdf"}] | 2023–2028 | National Children’s Policy | Adopted by the Government of Solomon Islands; implemented via the Children Development Division and the National Advisory and Action Committee on Children (NAACC), with oversight from multiple ministries and UNICEF. |