Country profile STP
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5-17 | 6.1 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 7.4 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 6.7 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 8.9 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 12.1 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 10.5 | Male & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2000-11-14 | C182 | Decree-Law 289/2000 on the Regulation of the Military Service Law - Article 32. | [{"link_name":"Decree-Law 289/2000 on the Regulation of the Military Service Law","source_link":"https://files.dre.pt/1s/2000/11/263a00/64256438.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 32 of the Decree-Law provides that the general conditions for admission for voluntary provision of military service include to be at least 18 years old. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2012-08-06 | C182 | Penal Code Law No. 6/2012 - Article 279 and Article 289 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code Law No. 6/2012","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Criminal%20Code_EN.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 279 of the Code prohibits the trafficking in narcotic drugs and other illegal activities. For its part, Article 289, i). identifies the implication of minors for such crime as an aggravation factor. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2012-08-06 | C182 | Penal Code Law 6/2012 - Article 181, Article 180 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code Law 6/2012","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Criminal%20Code_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 180 and Article 181, respectively, prohibit minors pornography and anyone who encourages, favours or facilitates the practice of prostitution by minors under 18 years of age or the practice of significant sexual acts by them. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2012-08-06 | C182 | Penal Code Law 6/2012 - Article 160 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code Law 6/2012","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Criminal%20Code_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. | Article 160 of the Code punishes anyone who, by any means, entices, transports, accommodates or receives a minor, or delivers, offers or accepts them, for the purposes of exploiting work. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2018-04-11 | C138 & C182 | Labour Code Law No. 6/2019 - Article 273, 2. | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law No. 6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_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 273, 2. of the Code stipulates that "The provision of work that, due to its nature or the conditions under which it is provided, is harmful to the physical, mental and moral development of minors is prohibited". |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2019-04-11 | C138 | Labour Code Law No. 6/2019 - Article 268, 3. and Article 275, 3. | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law No. 6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_EN.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 268, 3. of the Labour Code stipulates that minors over 14 years of age who have completed compulsory schooling can do light work which, by the nature of the tasks or the specific conditions under which they are carried out, are not harmful to their safety and health or their physical, psychological or moral development or interfere with their school attendance or training programmes. In regard with the limits in time in which light work may be carried out, Section 275, 3. of the text states that minors under the age of 16 engaged in light work shall not work for more than 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2019-04-11 | C138 | Labour Code Law No. 6/2019 - Article 268, 3. | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law No. 6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_EN.pdf"}] | 14 | 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 268, 3. of the Code sets the minimum age for light work to 14 years old. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"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:4290183,103341:NO"}] | 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. | In a Direct Request published in 2023, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) note the Government's declaration that no child under the age of 14 years may be enrolled in a vocational training programme. Nevertheless, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any special legislation regulating vocational training of minors has been adopted. Our research has not turned up any such text. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 201-02-18 ; 2019-04-11 | C138 | Basic Act on the Education System Act No.4/2018 - Section 12 ; Labour Code Law No. 6/2019 - Article 268, 2. | [{"link_name":"-Basic Act on the Education System Act No.4/2018","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/113411/L%204%2018.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code Law No. 6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_EN.pdf"}] | 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. | Section 12 of the Act provides that basic education is compulsory up to the ninth grade, which shall be completed at the age of 15 years. This provision is in line with the minimum age for admission to work or employment established under the Labour Code No.6/2019. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2019-04-11 | C138 | Labour Code Law No. 6/2019 - Article 268, 2. | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law No. 6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_EN.pdf"}] | 15 | 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 268, 2. of the Code states that the minimum age for admission to work is 15 years old. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2019-04-11 | C138 & C182 | Labour Code Law No.6/2019 - Article 274, 3. and Annex IV | [{"link_name":"Labour Code Law No.6/2019","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/ST_Labour%20Code_EN.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. | Annex IV of the Code provides the list of activities prohibited to children. |
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) | 04-MAY-2005 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 04-MAY-2005 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Education Policy Charter aims to enhance the quality and inclusivity of the national education system. Key objectives include combating illiteracy, reducing school failure rates, promoting literacy, and decreasing educational disparities. The plan also focuses on improving vocational education opportunities, enhancing teacher training and professional development, optimizing school management, and strengthening the competitiveness and internationalization of higher education. | [{"link_name":"Education Policy Charter","source_link":"https://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/sites/default/files/ressources/Sao%20Tome%20and%20Principe_Carta%20de%20Pol%C3%ADtica%20Educativa%20%28CPE%29%202019-2023.pdf"}] | 2019-2023 | Education Policy Charter | Ministry of Education and Higher Education |
| Part of the NDP focuses on strengthening human capital by improving the education system. It aims to provide quality education and training for all children without exception. Key measures include implementing an Education Management Information System, training education professionals and communities on gender issues, and prioritizing the protection of the most vulnerable groups, including children. | [{"link_name":"NDP","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/sao200386.pdf"}] | 2017-2021 | National Development Plan (NDP) | Government of Sao Tome and Principe |