Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Viet Nam (Ratification: 2000)

Article 6 of the Convention. Programmes of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. National programme on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the development of the National Programme on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour for 2016–2020 was envisaged. It requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure its adoption and to provide information on its implementation and results achieved.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that the Programme on Prevention and Minimization of Child Labour for 2016–2020 was adopted by Decision 1023/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. The Government also adopted the National Plan to Implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including objective 8.7, which covers the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour. To achieve this objective, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has taken measures to enhance the coordination with other ministries, agencies, national organizations and the ILO, and to develop a road map/plan for cross-sector collaboration among ministries and related organizations. The Committee requests the Government to indicate if it envisages to develop a new programme upon the expiration of the current Programme on Prevention and Minimization of Child Labour in 2020. It also requests the Government to provide concrete information on the measures taken and any results achieved regarding the elimination of the worst forms of child labour within the framework of the National Plan to Implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Article 7(2)(b). Effective and time-bound measures. Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child victims of trafficking. The Committee previously noted that, according to the report by the Ministry of Public Security on the implementation of the Action Programme to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking (2016–20), for the first six months of 2016, human trafficking remained a problem in Viet Nam, especially trafficking in children. Moreover, according to the statistics from the local departments of labour, invalids and social affairs (DOLISA), children under 16 years accounted for 9 per cent out of the 2,204 trafficking victims who were provided with assistance since 2011. The Committee also noted that several decrees and circulars were promulgated regarding the identification and protection of trafficking victims. The Committee requested the Government to continue to provide information on the number of child victims of trafficking who were provided with assistance and education or vocational training.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that more than 1,000 victims of trafficking received assistance from DOLISA. For child victims, the local governments provide guidelines on the granting of birth certificates for them. The Government also indicates that from 2016 to 2018, the three peace houses operated by Viet Nam Women’s Union received and provided assistance for 74 human trafficking victims who were women and children. The victims were provided with a health check, medical services, psychological treatment and counselling, literacy education, vocational training, career orientation employment-seeking help, as well as legal assistance and advice, among others. While taking note of the information provided by the Government, the Committee observes that the number of child victims of trafficking identified and provided with assistance is not clear. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on the number of child victims of trafficking identified and provided with targeted assistance and education or vocational training by the local departments of labour, invalids and social affairs, as well as by other victim support centres, including peace houses.

Article 7(2)(d). Identify and reach out to children at special risk. Street children. The Committee previously noted the Government’s statement that, in 2014, more than 1,473,000 children in vulnerable situations were identified, including around 22,000 street children. The Committee also noted the adoption of the Children Law in 2016, of which section 10 determines 14 groups of children in vulnerable situations, including homeless street children. The Committee therefore requested the Government to provide information on the application of the 2016 Children Law regarding the protection of street children from the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s reference to provisions of the 2016 Children Law prohibiting all forms of child exploitation. However, there is no information provided in the Government’s report regarding the protection of street children from the worst forms of child labour. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide information on the application of the 2016 Children Law regarding the protection of street children from the worst forms of child labour, including the number of children living on the street identified and provided with direct assistance for their rehabilitation and social integration.