Country profile TLS
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5-17 | 7.6 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 6.8 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 7.2 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 8.9 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 9.5 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2016 | 5-17 | 9.2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2012 | C138 & C182 | Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009) - Article 155 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106091/TLS106091%20Port.pdf"}] | 17 | 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. | Sections 67(1) and 67(2)(d) of the Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) prohibit the employment of minors, in work that is hazardous, dangerous, or likely to jeopardize their education, health, safety, or morals. Minors are defined as children under 17 years of age in Article 5. h). Similarly, Article 155 of the Penal Code impose restrictions on such work, but apply only to children under 17. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2012 | C138 & C182 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code - Sections 67(1) and 67(2)(d) | [{"link_name":"-Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4419579"}] | 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. | Sections 67(1) and 67(2)(d) of the Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) prohibit the employment of minors in work that is dangerous or likely to jeopardize their education, or harm their health, safety, or morals. Minors are defined as children under 17 years of age in Article 5. h). Article 155 of the Penal Code and Section 79 of the draft Child’s Code also restrict hazardous work but apply only to children under 17. The National Commission Against Child Labor (CNCTI) developed a draft “List of Hazardous and Prohibited Activities to Children Under the Age of 18”, which was submitted for approval to the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs (MECAE). However, as of the latest reports, this list has not been formally adopted. In its 2024 observation on C182, the ILO Committee of Experts (CEACR) expressed concern that the protection offered by existing legislation does not extend to all children under 18 years of age, as required by Articles 2 and 3(d) of ILO Convention No. 182. The Committee urged the Government to amend the legislation to prohibit the engagement of all children under 18 in hazardous types of work and to adopt the list of hazardous work following consultations with employers' and workers' organizations. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2012 | C182 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour - Articles 5. h), 67(2)(c) and Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009) - Articles 155, 174, 175, and 176 | [{"link_name":"-Law No. 4/2012 on Labour","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106091/TLS106091%20Port.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:4419579"}] | No | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 67(2)(c) of the Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) prohibits the use, procurement, or offering of minors for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, as defined in relevant international treaties. Minors are defined as children under 17 years of age in Article 5. h). Additionally, Articles 155, 174, 175, and 176 of the Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009) prohibit acts such as promoting, facilitating, or contributing to prostitution, and the use, recruitment, or offering of a child for unlawful acts or activities, including drug production and trafficking. However, these provisions only apply to children under 17 years of age. In its observations on C182, the ILO Committee of Experts has noted with regret that these sections of both the Labour Code and Penal Code have not been amended to extend protection to all children under 18 years of age, as required under Articles 1, 2, and 3 of ILO Convention No. 182. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2017 | C182 | Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009) - Articles 175 and 176 ; Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) - Article 67(2)(b) | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 19/2009)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106091/TLS106091%20Port.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012)","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4419579"}] | No | 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. | Articles 175 and 176 of Timor-Leste’s Penal Code, along with Article 67(2)(b) of the Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012), prohibit the use, procuring, or offering of a child under the age of 17 for purposes of prostitution, pornography, or pornographic performances. However, these provisions currently do not extend protection to all children under 18 years of age, contrary to the requirements of ILO Convention No. 182. The Committee on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (CEACR) - adopted in 2024 on C182, has urged the Government of Timor-Leste to amend these laws to ensure full protection up to the age of 18. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2017 | C182 | Law No. 3/2017 on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons - Articles 2 | [{"link_name":"Law No. 3/2017 on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106090/TLS106090%20Port.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. | Articles 2 Law No. 3/2017 (Law on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons and Fourth Amendment to the Penal Code) prohibit the recruitment of persons under the age of 18 for the purpose of exploitation, including “use in armed conflicts or civil insurrections,” and states that the offence is punishable even when committed without the use of coercion, fraud, or abuse of power. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2017 | C182 | Law No. 3/2017 on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons - Articles 163 (1) to 163 (4) | [{"link_name":"Law No. 3/2017 on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106090/TLS106090%20Port.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 163 (1) to 163 (4) of Timor-Leste’s Penal Code, as amended by Law No. 3/2017 on the Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Persons, prohibit the trafficking of children for purposes including sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, and other forms of exploitation. The law defines trafficking as the recruitment, transport, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons for exploitation, and explicitly states that when the victim is a child, the offence is established even in the absence of coercion, deception, or abuse of power. The use of children for prostitution, pornography, forced labour, or any similar practices is criminalized with aggravated penalties when minors are involved. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2012 | C138 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code - Articles 5(f), 68 (1) | [{"link_name":"Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.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. | Article 5(f) of the Labour Code defines an apprenticeship contract as: "An employment contract entered into by participants in a training programme or a professional qualification programme or by people in search of their first employment." While the Labour Code does not explicitly state a minimum age for apprenticeships, Article 68(1) sets the general minimum age for admission to work at 15 years. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | - | C138 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour - Article 68(1) ; Law No. 14 of 2008 on the Education System Framework - Article 58 | [{"link_name":"-Law No. 4/2012 on Labour","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law No. 14 of 2008 on the Education System Framework","source_link":"https://www.mj.gov.tl/jornal/lawsTL/RDTL-Law/RDTL-Laws/Law%2014-2008.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. | Article 58(1) of Timor-Leste’s Education System Framework Law (Law No. 14/2008) establishes nine years of compulsory schooling, beginning with the first year of primary education. Additionally, Article 58(2) specifies that students who have not yet reached the age of sixteen are also subject to compulsory school attendance. Article 68(1) of Timor-Leste’s Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) sets the minimum age for admission to work at 15 years. Therefore, while the Labour Code permits employment at age 15, the Education Law mandates compulsory education until age 16, indicating a discrepancy between the minimum working age and the age for completion of compulsory schooling. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2012 | C138 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code - Article 69 | [{"link_name":"Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.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 69 of Timor-Leste’s Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) provides that "light work shall mean an activity characterized by simple and defined tasks the performance of which presupposes only elementary knowledge, not involving physical and mental efforts likely to jeopardise the health and development of the minor and his or her studies or participation in professional training programmes approved by the Government." It further states that "the following shall not be considered light work: a) work that exceeds 5 hours per day and 25 hours per week; b) night work; c) work that implies a weekly rest of less than two days; d) work that implies a consecutive duration exceeding 3 hours without being interrupted for a break of not less than 1 hour." Additionally, "requesting or allowing overtime work by a minor hired to carry out light work shall be prohibited. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2012 | C138 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code - Article 69(1) | [{"link_name":"Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.pdf"}] | 13 | 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 69(1) of Timor-Leste’s Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) permits minors between the ages of 13 and 15 to perform light work, defined as simple and clearly defined tasks requiring only elementary knowledge, which do not involve physical or mental effort likely to jeopardise their health, development, or interfere with their schooling or participation in government-approved vocational training. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2012 | C138 | Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code - Articles 68(1) and Article 68(3) | [{"link_name":"Law No. 4/2012 on Labour Code","source_link":"https://laohamutuk.org/Oil/EILabor/Law4-2012LaborEn.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 68(1) of Timor-Leste’s Labour Code (Law No. 4/2012) sets the minimum age for admission to work at 15 years, while Article 68(3) permits minors between 13 and 15 years of age to engage in light work in accordance with Article 69. |
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-2009 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The plan outlines strategic actions across five priority areas: health and nutrition; education and culture; civil rights and freedoms; protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation; and family and alternative care. It seeks to provide children with a healthy environment, access to quality education, and protection from harm, and calls for inter-ministerial coordination, legal reform, and adequate funding. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan for Children","source_link":"https://platform.who.int/docs/default-source/mca-documents/policy-documents/plan-strategy/tls-ad-25-02-plan-strategy-2016-eng-napc-2016-2020.pdf"}] | 2016–2020 | National Action Plan for Children (2016–2020) | National Commission on the Rights of the Child |
| Provides short-term and long-term plans for the nation’s development, including the eradication of child labour and other forms of child exploitation, poverty alleviation, and the implementation of social assistance programs. Also specifies commitments to improve the education system from 2011 to 2030. | [{"link_name":"Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan","source_link":"https://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Timor-Leste-Strategic-Plan-2011-20301.pdf"}] | 2011-2030 | Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan (2011–2030): | Government of Timor-Leste |