Country profile TUV
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5-17 | 3.4 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2020 | 5-17 | 4.8 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2020 | 5-17 | 4 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2020 | 5-17 | 3.4 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2020 | 5-17 | 4 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2020 | 5-17 | 3.7 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2017 | C138 & C182 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 44 | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Although Section 44 prohibits hazardous work for those under 18, Tuvalu has not established a comprehensive list of hazardous activities in regulations. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2017 | C138 & C182 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 44 | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Section 44 of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2017 prohibits employment in hazardous work for children under 18. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2017 | C182 | Labour and Employment Relations Act 2017 - Article 46 | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act 2017","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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 46 of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2017 explicitly prohibits using, procuring, or offering children for illicit activities, including drug production and trafficking. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2008 ; 2009 | C182 | Penal Code 2008 - Articles 136 and 137 ; Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009 | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code 2008","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1965/1965-0007/1965-0007_2.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/TV_Counter%20Terrorism%20and%20Transnational%20Organised%20Crime%20Act%20Chapter%2010.27_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. | Tuvalu’s Penal Code 2008 criminalises commercial sexual exploitation of children — Articles 136 and 137 cover child prostitution and related offences. The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009 includes provisions against trafficking of children for sexual exploitation. |
| 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. | Tuvalu does not maintain a regular military or conscription, so forced recruitment of children under 18 is not possible. There is no legislation authorising such recruitment. |
| 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. | Tuvalu does not maintain a regular military or conscription, so forced recruitment of children under 18 is not possible. There is no legislation authorising such recruitment. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2009 ; 2008 ; 2023 | C182 | Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009 - Articles 67 and 68 ; Penal Code 2008 - Article 244 ; Constitution - Articles 18, 136, 139–143 | [{"link_name":"-Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009","source_link":"https://bwcimplementation.org/sites/default/files/resource/TV_Counter%20Terrorism%20and%20Transnational%20Organised%20Crime%20Act%20Chapter%2010.27_EN.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code 2008","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1965/1965-0007/1965-0007_2.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Constitution","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/1986-0001_2.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. | Tuvalu explicitly prohibits trafficking of children for any purpose—including sexual and labour exploitation—under Articles 67 and 68 of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime Act 2009. Offences related to sale or trafficking of children, forced labour and slavery are also criminalised under the Penal Code (Article 244) and Constitution (Article 18). Commercial sexual exploitation is prohibited under multiple Penal Code provisions (Articles 136, 139–143). |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Tuvalu has not ratified ILO Convention C138. The 2017 Act defines a "contract of service" to include apprenticeships or traineeships. However, it does not specify conditions such as linkage to schooling or competent authority oversight as required by C138. The earlier Employment Ordinance, which permitted apprenticeships from age 14, has been fully superseded by this Act. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 42(1) | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Tuvalu has not ratified ILO Convention C138. Section 42(1) prohibits employment of children who have not completed the calendar year of schooling in which they reach the age of 15. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 43(2) | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.pdf"}] | No | 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. | Tuvalu has not ratified ILO Convention C138. Although Section 43(2) allows the Minister to make regulations on the types and conditions of light work, no specific activities or conditions appear to have been formally determined to date. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 43(2) | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Although Section 43(2) allows the Minister to make regulations on the types and conditions of light work, no specific activities or conditions appear to have been formally determined to date. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Tuvalu has not ratified ILO Convention C138. Tuvalu does not permit light work for children under the general minimum age of 15. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2017 | C138 | Labour and Employment Relations Act - Section 42(1) | [{"link_name":"Labour and Employment Relations Act","source_link":"https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2017/2017-0014/2017-0014_1.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. | Tuvalu has not ratified ILO Convention C138. Section 42(1) of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2017 states that a child who has not yet completed the calendar year of schooling in which he or she reaches the age of 15 years must not be employed or work in any capacity. |
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) | 11-JUN-2019 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No infromation could be found about any policy or plan implemented to erradicate child labour in Tuvalu. | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | N/A | N/A | N/A |