Repetition

Articles 3(a)–(c) and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, and penalties. Sale and trafficking of children. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances, or for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that section 131(a)–(c) of the new Labour Code of Comoros, adopted by Act No. 12-167 in 2012, prohibits the worst forms of child labour, which include: (a) all forms of slavery or similar practices, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt servitude and bondage, and forced or compulsory labour; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; and (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee observed that the provisions of title X of the new Labour Code (relating to penalties) do not specify any penalties for violations of section 131 of the Code, which is concerned with the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes that new Act No. 14-034/AU aimed at combating the sale and trafficking of children was promulgated on 22 December 2014. Section 6 of the Act provides that any person who engages or seeks to engage a child under 18 years of age in one of the worst forms of child labour as specified in section 131(a)–(c) of the Labour Code – namely, the trafficking of children or the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution or for illicit activities – shall be liable toa fine of 100,000 to 5 million Comorian francs (KMF) and imprisonment ranging from five months to ten years. Imprisonment of ten to 20 years applies where the offence is committed against a victim under 15 years of age.

However, the Committee observes that under Act No. 14-034/AU, the same offences sometimes incur different penalties, as follows:

• Under section 13, anyone who engages in trafficking in persons, where it is for the purpose of exploiting young persons under 18 years of age, shall be liable to imprisonment of ten to 20 years and a fine of KMF30 million.
• Under section 11, anyone who coerces or encourages a young person in his/her care or custody to engage in debauchery or prostitution shall be liable to imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of KMF500,000 to 1 million.
• Under section 9, anyone who employs, uses, persuades, incites, encourages or coerces a child to engage in sexual acts with a view to producing a visual representation of such acts shall be liable to imprisonment of five to ten years and a fine of KMF 2 million to 5 million.

Moreover, the Committee observes that certain provisions of the Penal Code, particularly sections 322 and 335, are also concerned with prohibitions regarding the sexual exploitation of children and the deprivation of another person’s freedom (which could apply to the trafficking of children).

Hence, the Committee observes that the provisions of Comorian legislation relating to the worst forms of child labour overlap, with the result that the applicable penalties are unclear, thereby potentially resulting in an additional obstacle to the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of such offences. The Committee reminds the Government that Article 7(1) of the Convention provides that the Government must take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions giving effect to the Convention. The Committee therefore urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that persons implicated in the worst forms of child labour are subject to effective prosecution. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to take steps to ensure that offences relating to the worst forms of child labour and the corresponding penalties are harmonized so that they are clear and non-contradictory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of reported offences, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and criminal penalties imposed, in relation to the application of the above-mentioned provisions concerning the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour. To the extent possible, this information should be disaggregated by age and gender of victims.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that issues relating to the worst forms of child labour are never brought to the attention of the labour inspectorate.

The Committee notes with regret once again that the Government remains silent regarding the existence of any mechanism charged with monitoring the employment or use of children in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee therefore requests the Government once again to take the necessary steps to establish mechanisms to monitor the worst forms of child labour, including by providing for a monitoring mechanism to supplement the labour inspectorate when it comes to the implementation of Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention targeting criminal offences. It requests the Government to provide information in this regard.

Article 6. Programmes of action. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that a national child protection policy in Comoros has been adopted for the 2016–21 period, which includes actions to combat child labour and trafficking of children. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the national child protection policy to combat the worst forms of child labour, particularly trafficking for sexual or economic exploitation, and on the results achieved.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee previously noted that child domestic labour was a common practice in the country. Poverty coupled with poorly applied legislation was partly responsible for this situation. The Committee noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, were often the victims of exploitation, which assumed highly diverse forms, and that it was difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “hidden” nature of their work.

The Committee notes with regret the lack of information on this matter in the Government’s report. The Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Article 8. International cooperation. Poverty reduction. The Committee notes that a national development strategy, the “Strategy for accelerated growth and sustainable development” (SCA2D), has been adopted for the 2015–19 period. This strategy aims at accelerated and strong economic growth to create decent jobs, while promoting the sustainable development of the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Comorian Government is assisted by the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2015–19, whereby the ILO contributes towards achieving the goals set in national development frameworks such as the SCA2D. Recalling that poverty reduction programmes contribute towards breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the SCA2D, the DWCP and any other poverty reduction programme on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in the country.

Repetition

Articles 3(a)–(c) and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, and penalties. Sale and trafficking of children. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances, or for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that section 131(a)–(c) of the new Labour Code of Comoros, adopted by Act No. 12-167 in 2012, prohibits the worst forms of child labour, which include: (a) all forms of slavery or similar practices, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt servitude and bondage, and forced or compulsory labour; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; and (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee observed that the provisions of title X of the new Labour Code (relating to penalties) do not specify any penalties for violations of section 131 of the Code, which is concerned with the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes that new Act No. 14-034/AU aimed at combating the sale and trafficking of children was promulgated on 22 December 2014. Section 6 of the Act provides that any person who engages or seeks to engage a child under 18 years of age in one of the worst forms of child labour as specified in section 131(a)–(c) of the Labour Code – namely, the trafficking of children or the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution or for illicit activities – shall be liable toa fine of 100,000 to 5 million Comorian francs (KMF) and imprisonment ranging from five months to ten years. Imprisonment of ten to 20 yearsapplies where the offence is committed against a victim under 15 years of age.

However, the Committee observes that under Act No. 14-034/AU, the same offences sometimes incur different penalties, as follows:

• –Under section 13, anyone who engages in trafficking in persons, where it is for the purpose of exploiting young persons under 18 years of age, shall be liable to imprisonment of ten to 20 years and a fine of KMF30 million.
• -Under section 11, anyone who coerces or encourages a young person in his/her care or custody to engage in debauchery or prostitution shall be liable to imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of KMF500,000 to 1 million.
• –Under section 9, anyone who employs, uses, persuades, incites, encourages or coerces a child to engage in sexual acts with a view to producing a visual representation of such acts shall be liable to imprisonment of five to ten years and a fine of KMF2 million to 5 million.

Moreover, the Committee observes that certain provisions of the Penal Code, particularly sections 322 and 335, are also concerned with prohibitions regarding the sexual exploitation of children and the deprivation of another person’s freedom (which could apply to the trafficking of children).

Hence, the Committee observes that the provisions of Comorian legislation relating to the worst forms of child labour overlap, with the result that the applicable penalties are unclear, thereby potentially resulting in an additional obstacle to the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of such offences. The Committee reminds the Government that Article 7(1) of the Convention provides that the Government must take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions giving effect to the Convention.The Committee therefore urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that persons implicated in the worst forms of child labour are subject to effective prosecution. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to take steps to ensure that offences relating to the worst forms of child labour and the corresponding penalties are harmonized so that they are clear and non-contradictory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of reported offences, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and criminal penalties imposed, in relation to the application of the abovementioned provisions concerning the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour. To the extent possible, this information should be disaggregated by age and gender of victims.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that issues relating to the worst forms of child labour are never brought to the attention of the labour inspectorate.

The Committee notes with regret once again that the Government remains silent regarding the existence of any mechanism charged with monitoring the employment or use of children in the worst forms of child labour.The Committee therefore requests the Government once again to take the necessary steps to establish mechanisms to monitor the worst forms of child labour, including by providing for a monitoring mechanism to supplement the labour inspectorate when it comes to the implementation of Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention targeting criminal offences. It requests the Government to provide information in this regard.

Article 6. Programmes of action. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that a national child protection policy in Comoros has been adopted for the 2016–21 period, which includes actions to combat child labour and trafficking of children.The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the national child protection policy to combat the worst forms of child labour, particularly trafficking for sexual or economic exploitation, and on the results achieved.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee previously noted that child domestic labour was a common practice in the country. Poverty coupled with poorly applied legislation was partly responsible for this situation. The Committee noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, were often the victims of exploitation, which assumed highly diverse forms, and that it was difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “hidden” nature of their work.

The Committee notes with regret the lack of information on this matter in the Government’s report.The Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Article 8. International cooperation. Poverty reduction. The Committee notes that a national development strategy, the “Strategy for accelerated growth and sustainable development” (SCA2D), has been adopted for the 2015–19 period. This strategy aims at accelerated and strong economic growth to create decent jobs, while promoting the sustainable development of the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Comorian Government is assisted by the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2015–19, whereby the ILO contributes towards achieving the goals set in national development frameworks such as the SCA2D.Recalling that poverty reduction programmes contribute towards breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the SCA2D, the DWCP and any other poverty reduction programme on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in the country.

Repetition

Articles 3(a)–(c) and 7 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour, and penalties. Sale and trafficking of children. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances, or for illicit activities. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that section 131(a)–(c) of the new Labour Code of Comoros, adopted by Act No. 12-167 in 2012, prohibits the worst forms of child labour, which include: (a) all forms of slavery or similar practices, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt servitude and bondage, and forced or compulsory labour; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; and (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. However, the Committee observed that the provisions of title X of the new Labour Code (relating to penalties) do not specify any penalties for violations of section 131 of the Code, which is concerned with the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour.

The Committee notes that new Act No. 14-034/AU aimed at combating the sale and trafficking of children was promulgated on 22 December 2014. Section 6 of the Act provides that any person who engages or seeks to engage a child under 18 years of age in one of the worst forms of child labour as specified in section 131(a)–(c) of the Labour Code – namely, the trafficking of children or the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution or for illicit activities – shall be liable to a fine of 100,000 to 5 million Comorian francs (KMF) and imprisonment ranging from five months to ten years. Imprisonment of ten to 20 years applies where the offence is committed against a victim under 15 years of age.

However, the Committee observes that under Act No. 14-034/AU, the same offences sometimes incur different penalties, as follows:

– Under section 13, anyone who engages in trafficking in persons, where it is for the purpose of exploiting young persons under 18 years of age, shall be liable to imprisonment of ten to 20 years and a fine of KMF30 million.

– Under section 11, anyone who coerces or encourages a young person in his/her care or custody to engage in debauchery or prostitution shall be liable to imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of KMF500,000 to 1 million.

– Under section 9, anyone who employs, uses, persuades, incites, encourages or coerces a child to engage in sexual acts with a view to producing a visual representation of such acts shall be liable to imprisonment of five to ten years and a fine of KMF2 million to 5 million.

Moreover, the Committee observes that certain provisions of the Penal Code, particularly sections 322 and 335, are also concerned with prohibitions regarding the sexual exploitation of children and the deprivation of another person’s freedom (which could apply to the trafficking of children).

Hence, the Committee observes that the provisions of Comorian legislation relating to the worst forms of child labour overlap, with the result that the applicable penalties are unclear, thereby potentially resulting in an additional obstacle to the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of such offences. The Committee reminds the Government that Article 7(1) of the Convention provides that the Government must take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions giving effect to the Convention. The Committee therefore urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that persons implicated in the worst forms of child labour are subject to effective prosecution. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to take steps to ensure that offences relating to the worst forms of child labour and the corresponding penalties are harmonized so that they are clear and non-contradictory. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number and nature of reported offences, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and criminal penalties imposed, in relation to the application of the abovementioned provisions concerning the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour. To the extent possible, this information should be disaggregated by age and gender of victims.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that issues relating to the worst forms of child labour are never brought to the attention of the labour inspectorate.

The Committee notes with regret once again that the Government remains silent regarding the existence of any mechanism charged with monitoring the employment or use of children in the worst forms of child labour. The Committee therefore requests the Government once again to take the necessary steps to establish mechanisms to monitor the worst forms of child labour, including by providing for a monitoring mechanism to supplement the labour inspectorate when it comes to the implementation of Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention targeting criminal offences. It requests the Government to provide information in this regard.

Article 6. Programmes of action. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that a national child protection policy in Comoros has been adopted for the 2016–21 period, which includes actions to combat child labour and trafficking of children. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken as part of the national child protection policy to combat the worst forms of child labour, particularly trafficking for sexual or economic exploitation, and on the results achieved.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee previously noted that child domestic labour was a common practice in the country. Poverty coupled with poorly applied legislation was partly responsible for this situation. The Committee noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, were often the victims of exploitation, which assumed highly diverse forms, and that it was difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “hidden” nature of their work.

The Committee notes with regret the lack of information on this matter in the Government’s report. The Committee urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Article 8. International cooperation. Poverty reduction. The Committee notes that a national development strategy, the “Strategy for accelerated growth and sustainable development” (SCA2D), has been adopted for the 2015–19 period. This strategy aims at accelerated and strong economic growth to create decent jobs, while promoting the sustainable development of the country. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Comorian Government is assisted by the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2015–19, whereby the ILO contributes towards achieving the goals set in national development frameworks such as the SCA2D. Recalling that poverty reduction programmes contribute towards breaking the cycle of poverty, which is essential for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the SCA2D, the DWCP and any other poverty reduction programme on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in the country.

Repetition

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. All forms of slavery or similar practices. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the national legislation contains no specific provisions on the sale and trafficking of children. It nonetheless noted that sections 345–348 of the Penal Code deal with the abduction of minors. Section 345 of the Penal Code penalizes anyone who forcibly or fraudulently abducts minors or causes them to be forcibly or fraudulently abducted, or moves, removes or lures them away, or causes them to be moved, removed or lured away, from the locations where they were placed by the persons to whose authority or supervision they were entrusted. Section 123 of the Family Code treats as a minor anyone who has not attained the age of majority, which is fixed at 18 years. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee again asks the government to indicate to what extent section 345 of the Penal Code makes it possible in practice to charge and convict a person of the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age for economic or sexual exploitation.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. The Committee noted previously that section 322(1) and (6) of the Penal Code punishes the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. According to section 323(1) of the Penal Code, the fact that the offence is committed against a minor constitutes an aggravating circumstance. The Committee noted that, according to the annual report of October 2006 of the Observatory on the Rights of Children in the Indian Ocean Region (ODEROI) entitled “Violence against children in the Indian Ocean region” and mentioned by the Government in its report, sexual exploitation, including prostitution, particularly of girls, exists in the country. Consequently, noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 322(1) and (6) and section 323(1) of the Penal Code, including statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. It also requests the Government once again to indicate whether the Penal Code or any other legislation penalizes the client in cases of child prostitution.

Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, the use of children in pornography is considered a problem in the country. It noted that the national legislation does not, however, appear to prohibit and penalize this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit and treat as a criminal offence, in accordance with Article 3(b) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child under the age of 18 for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. It also once again requests the Government to establish penalties for this purpose.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. In its previous comments the Committee reminded the Government that under Article 1 of the Convention, immediate and effective measures must be taken as a matter of urgency to secure the prohibition of this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particularly for the production and trafficking of drugs, in accordance with Article 3(c) of the Convention. The Committee also once again requests the Government to adopt penalties for this purpose.

Articles 3(d) and 4(1). Hazardous work and determination of types of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted draft Order No. 5 fixing the types of work and categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to employment (draft Order No. 5) and observed that the term “child” used in the draft Order is not defined and is sometimes used with an age between 15 and 18 years being indicated (see sections 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13) or without any age specified (see sections 2–4, 6–9 and 11). The Committee nonetheless noted the Government’s statement that a draft regulatory act has been prepared determining the types of work and the categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to work, and that its purpose is to raise the minimum age from 16 to 18 years. The Committee noted that in its report on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Government stated that so far there have been no developments regarding the adoption of the draft regulatory act determining the types of work and categories of enterprise prohibited to young persons and the age requirements for the admission of children to work. The Government added that, to remedy this, the text of the draft regulatory act will be revised and copies will be sent to employers’ and workers’ organizations with a view to its adoption at the earliest possible date. The Committee expresses the hope that the draft regulatory act will take account of Articles 3(d) and 4(1) of the Convention. It requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the draft regulatory act is adopted in the near future and to provide a copy of it once it has been adopted.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. Labour inspection. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that sections 154–177 of the Labour Code deal with the bodies and means involved in the application of provisions relating to labour. It noted in particular that under section 154 of the Labour Code the labour and social legislation departments have a central administration and, in each of the islands, a labour and social legislation inspectorate, possibly with one or more controllers. Under section 155 of the Labour Code, the central administration is responsible for the legislative provisions relating to labour and worker protection. Section 156 states that the labour and social legislation inspectorate is responsible for the enforcement of the legislative and regulatory provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers in the performance of their jobs, including provisions on the employment of children and young persons. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to communicate information on the work of the central administration and the labour and social legislation inspectorate, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour, including, for example, extracts of reports or documents indicating the scope and nature of violations reported concerning children and young persons involved in the worst forms of child labour.

Criminal offences. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, and inasmuch as Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention concerns criminal offences, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether it plans to establish additional monitoring mechanisms for use by the labour and welfare administration to ensure the application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 6. Programmes of action. The Committee noted previously that, according to the information sent by the Government in its 2002 annual report under the follow-up to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, a national plan to ensure effective abolition of child labour in the country has been drawn up. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to send information on the measures taken in the context of the implementation of the national plan, indicating, in particular, whether programmes of action for combating the worst forms of child labour have been adopted, and on the results attained.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Noting once again that the Government has not supplied any information on this provision of the Convention, the Committee repeats its request for detailed information on the effective and time-bound measures taken to provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration.

Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that child labour is a visible phenomenon in the country, particularly as a result of poverty and the low school enrolment rate among some children. It further noted that children engage in work from the age of 12 onwards, with 94 per cent of children aged between 12 and 18 working in agriculture (15 per cent), fishing (14 per cent) and domestic work (10 per cent). The Committee also noted that the Government had adopted a programme to secure Education for All by 2015 (EPT 2015), and that a national movement for the education of girls has been launched. It nonetheless noted that according to the UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report of 2008, owing to a lack of data, it has been impossible to make projections concerning the achievement of the goals fixed by the EPT by 2015, except as regards gender parity in primary education, where it is indicated that Comoros may not achieve the goals by 2015.

The Committee noted that, according to a programme development document sent by the Government with its report on the Minimum Age Convention 1973 (No. 138), the number of children in primary education virtually stagnated between 2003 and 2007 with the number of children enrolled rising from 104,274 to 104,418, and that the number of pupils in the first and second cycles of secondary education increased during the same period from 37,651 in 2003 to 41,118 in 2007, that is an increase of 2.2 per cent per year. The document also indicated that the net enrolment rate at primary level rose from 73 per cent in 2007 to 76 per cent in 2008. The Committee noted, however, that according to information available on the UNICEF website (www.unicef.org/infobycountry/comoros_statistics.html), for the years 2000–07, the net primary school attendance ratio is only 31 per cent for both girls and boys and the net secondary school attendance ratio is only 11 per cent for girls and 10 per cent for boys. In this regard, the Committee noted the information sent by the Government in the abovementioned programme development document to the effect that the accommodation capacity of schools is very limited and that some, particularly primary and secondary schools, have to refuse to enrol some children of school age. Consequently, many children, especially those from poor families and underprivileged backgrounds, are deprived of education. The document also highlights the ineffectiveness of the school system which is due to poor distribution of teachers and inefficient use of human resources. The education system also suffers from a lack of motivation among training supervisors, insufficient learning time and limited access to school manuals, all factors that account in part for its poor record. Furthermore, in terms of structure, there is a heavy demand for education that the country is unable to meet because of a net shortfall in available resources.

The Committee noted from the programme development document the Government’s statement that it intends to step up efforts to attain the objectives of EPT 2015, in particular by striving to provide universal primary schooling that is free, compulsory and of a high standard, to eliminate all forms of inequality in educational provision in primary and secondary schools, in particular by stepping up education for girls, to improve access to and the quality of secondary education and to diversify educational supply so as to provide all young people with the same opportunities to succeed. The Committee nevertheless reiterated its concern at the low school attendance rate at both primary and secondary levels. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government in its commitment to redouble its commitment efforts to improve the functioning of the national education system. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the context of EPT 2015 to raise the school attendance rate and reduce the school drop-out rate, particularly among girls. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the results obtained.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee noted previously that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, child domestic labour is common practice in the country. Poverty, combined with lax enforcement of legislation, is partly responsible for this situation. Although no detailed analysis exists of the conditions of work of child domestic workers in Comoros, the latter are said to be the victims of alarming violence, particularly girls, who are reportedly subjected to sexual abuse by members of the host family. The Committee noted that according to the ODEROI report, a “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk” was adopted in 2004. It noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, are often the victims of exploitation, which assumes highly diverse forms, and that it is difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “clandestine” nature of the work. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether, in the framework of the implementation of the “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk”, it intends to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments the Committee noted that no statistical data on the number of children who are victims of the worst forms of child labour appear to be available for Comoros. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again expresses the hope that, in its next report, the Government will be in a position to provide statistics and information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the extent and nature of violations detected, investigations, prosecutions, as well as on the convictions and penalties imposed. As far as possible, the information supplied should be disaggregated by sex.

Repetition

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. All forms of slavery or similar practices. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the national legislation contains no specific provisions on the sale and trafficking of children. It nonetheless noted that sections 345–348 of the Penal Code deal with the abduction of minors. Section 345 of the Penal Code penalizes anyone who forcibly or fraudulently abducts minors or causes them to be forcibly or fraudulently abducted, or moves, removes or lures them away, or causes them to be moved, removed or lured away, from the locations where they were placed by the persons to whose authority or supervision they were entrusted. Section 123 of the Family Code treats as a minor anyone who has not attained the age of majority, which is fixed at 18 years. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee again asks the government to indicate to what extent section 345 of the Penal Code makes it possible in practice to charge and convict a person of the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age for economic or sexual exploitation.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. The Committee noted previously that section 322(1) and (6) of the Penal Code punishes the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. According to section 323(1) of the Penal Code the fact that the offence is committed against a minor constitutes an aggravating circumstance. The Committee noted that, according to the annual report of October 2006 of the Observatory on the Rights of Children in the Indian Ocean Region (ODEROI) entitled “Violence against children in the Indian Ocean region” and mentioned by the Government in its report, sexual exploitation, including prostitution, particularly of girls, exists in the country. Consequently, noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 322(1) and (6) and section 323(1) of the Penal Code, including statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. It also requests the Government once again to indicate whether the Penal Code or any other legislation penalizes the client in cases of child prostitution.

Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, the use of children in pornography is considered a problem in the country. It noted that the national legislation does not, however, appear to prohibit and penalize this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit and treat as a criminal offence, in accordance with Article 3(b) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child under the age of 18 for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. It also once again requests the Government to establish penalties for this purpose.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. In its previous comments the Committee reminded the Government that under Article 1 of the Convention, immediate and effective measures must be taken as a matter of urgency to secure the prohibition of this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particularly for the production and trafficking of drugs, in accordance with Article 3(c) of the Convention. The Committee also once again requests the Government to adopt penalties for this purpose.

Articles 3(d) and 4(1). Hazardous work and determination of types of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted draft Order No. 5 fixing the types of work and categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to employment (draft Order No. 5) and observed that the term “child” used in the draft Order is not defined and is sometimes used with an age between 15 and 18 years being indicated (see sections 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13) or without any age specified (see sections 2–4, 6–9 and 11). The Committee nonetheless noted the Government’s statement that a draft regulatory act has been prepared determining the types of work and the categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to work, and that its purpose is to raise the minimum age from 16 to 18 years. The Committee noted that in its report on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Government stated that so far there have been no developments regarding the adoption of the draft regulatory act determining the types of work and categories of enterprise prohibited to young persons and the age requirements for the admission of children to work. The Government added that, to remedy this, the text of the draft regulatory act will be revised and copies will be sent to employers’ and workers’ organizations with a view to its adoption at the earliest possible date. The Committee expresses the hope that the draft regulatory act will take account of Articles 3(d) and 4(1) of the Convention. It requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the draft regulatory act is adopted in the near future and to provide a copy of it once it has been adopted.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. Labour inspection. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that sections 154–177 of the Labour Code deal with the bodies and means involved in the application of provisions relating to labour. It noted in particular that under section 154 of the Labour Code the labour and social legislation departments have a central administration and, in each of the islands, a labour and social legislation inspectorate, possibly with one or more controllers. Under section 155 of the Labour Code, the central administration is responsible for the legislative provisions relating to labour and worker protection. Section 156 states that the labour and social legislation inspectorate is responsible for the enforcement of the legislative and regulatory provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers in the performance of their jobs, including provisions on the employment of children and young persons. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to communicate information on the work of the central administration and the labour and social legislation inspectorate, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour, including, for example, extracts of reports or documents indicating the scope and nature of violations reported concerning children and young persons involved in the worst forms of child labour.

Criminal offences. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, and inasmuch as Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention concerns criminal offences, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether it plans to establish additional monitoring mechanisms for use by the labour and welfare administration to ensure the application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 6. Programmes of action. The Committee noted previously that, according to the information sent by the Government in its 2002 annual report under the follow-up to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, a national plan to ensure effective abolition of child labour in the country has been drawn up. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to send information on the measures taken in the context of the implementation of the national plan, indicating, in particular, whether programmes of action for combating the worst forms of child labour have been adopted, and on the results attained.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Noting once again that the Government has not supplied any information on this provision of the Convention, the Committee repeats its request for detailed information on the effective and time-bound measures taken to provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration.

Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that child labour is a visible phenomenon in the country, particularly as a result of poverty and the low school enrolment rate among some children. It further noted that children engage in work from the age of 12 onwards, with 94 per cent of children aged between 12 and 18 working in agriculture (15 per cent), fishing (14 per cent) and domestic work (10 per cent). The Committee also noted that the Government had adopted a programme to secure Education for All by 2015 (EPT 2015), and that a national movement for the education of girls has been launched. It nonetheless noted that according to the UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report of 2008, owing to a lack of data, it has been impossible to make projections concerning the achievement of the goals fixed by the EPT by 2015, except as regards gender parity in primary education, where it is indicated that Comoros may not achieve the goals by 2015.

The Committee noted that, according to a programme development document sent by the Government with its report on the Minimum Age Convention 1973 (No. 138), the number of children in primary education virtually stagnated between 2003 and 2007 with the number of children enrolled rising from 104,274 to 104,418, and that the number of pupils in the first and second cycles of secondary education increased during the same period from 37,651 in 2003 to 41,118 in 2007, that is an increase of 2.2 per cent per year. The document also indicated that the net enrolment rate at primary level rose from 73 per cent in 2007 to 76 per cent in 2008. The Committee noted, however, that according to information available on the UNICEF website (www.unicef.org/infobycountry/comoros_statistics.html), for the years 2000–07, the net primary school attendance ratio is only 31 per cent for both girls and boys and the net secondary school attendance ratio is only 11 per cent for girls and 10 per cent for boys. In this regard, the Committee noted the information sent by the Government in the abovementioned programme development document to the effect that the accommodation capacity of schools is very limited and that some, particularly primary and secondary schools, have to refuse to enrol some children of school age. Consequently, many children, especially those from poor families and underprivileged backgrounds, are deprived of education. The document also highlights the ineffectiveness of the school system which is due to poor distribution of teachers and inefficient use of human resources. The education system also suffers from a lack of motivation among training supervisors, insufficient learning time and limited access to school manuals, all factors that account in part for its poor record. Furthermore, in terms of structure, there is a heavy demand for education that the country is unable to meet because of a net shortfall in available resources.

The Committee noted from the programme development document the Government’s statement that it intends to step up efforts to attain the objectives of EPT 2015, in particular by striving to provide universal primary schooling that is free, compulsory and of a high standard, to eliminate all forms of inequality in educational provision in primary and secondary schools, in particular by stepping up education for girls, to improve access to and the quality of secondary education and to diversify educational supply so as to provide all young people with the same opportunities to succeed. The Committee must nevertheless reiterate its concern at the low school attendance rate at both primary and secondary levels. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government in its commitment to redouble its commitment efforts to improve the functioning of the national education system. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the context of EPT 2015 to raise the school attendance rate and reduce the school drop-out rate, particularly among girls. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the results obtained.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee noted previously that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, child domestic labour is common practice in the country. Poverty, combined with lax enforcement of legislation, is partly responsible for this situation. Although no detailed analysis exists of the conditions of work of child domestic workers in Comoros, the latter are said to be the victims of alarming violence, particularly girls, who are reportedly subjected to sexual abuse by members of the host family. The Committee noted that according to the ODEROI report, a “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk” was adopted in 2004. It noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, are often the victims of exploitation, which assumes highly diverse forms, and that it is difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “clandestine” nature of the work. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether, in the framework of the implementation of the “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk”, it intends to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments the Committee noted that no statistical data on the number of children who are victims of the worst forms of child labour appear to be available for Comoros. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again expresses the hope that, in its next report, the Government will be in a position to provide statistics and information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the extent and nature of violations detected, investigations, prosecutions, as well as on the convictions and penalties imposed. As far as possible, the information supplied should be disaggregated by sex.

Repetition

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. All forms of slavery or similar practices. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the national legislation contains no specific provisions on the sale and trafficking of children. It nonetheless noted that sections 345–348 of the Penal Code deal with the abduction of minors. Section 345 of the Penal Code penalizes anyone who forcibly or fraudulently abducts minors or causes them to be forcibly or fraudulently abducted, or moves, removes or lures them away, or causes them to be moved, removed or lured away, from the locations where they were placed by the persons to whose authority or supervision they were entrusted. Section 123 of the Family Code treats as a minor anyone who has not attained the age of majority, which is fixed at 18 years. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee again asks the government to indicate to what extent section 345 of the Penal Code makes it possible in practice to charge and convict a person of the sale and trafficking of children under 18 years of age for economic or sexual exploitation.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. The Committee noted previously that section 322(1) and (6) of the Penal Code punishes the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution. According to section 323(1) of the Penal Code the fact that the offence is committed against a minor constitutes an aggravating circumstance. The Committee noted that, according to the annual report of October 2006 of the Observatory on the Rights of Children in the Indian Ocean Region (ODEROI) entitled “Violence against children in the Indian Ocean region” and mentioned by the Government in its report, sexual exploitation, including prostitution, particularly of girls, exists in the country. Consequently, noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 322(1) and (6) and section 323(1) of the Penal Code, including statistics on the number and nature of violations reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed. It also requests the Government once again to indicate whether the Penal Code or any other legislation penalizes the client in cases of child prostitution.

Use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, the use of children in pornography is considered a problem in the country. It noted that the national legislation does not, however, appear to prohibit and penalize this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to prohibit and treat as a criminal offence, in accordance with Article 3(b) of the Convention, the use, procuring or offering of a child under the age of 18 for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. It also once again requests the Government to establish penalties for this purpose.

Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities. In its previous comments the Committee reminded the Government that under Article 1 of the Convention, immediate and effective measures must be taken as a matter of urgency to secure the prohibition of this worst form of child labour. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particularly for the production and trafficking of drugs, in accordance with Article 3(c) of the Convention. The Committee also once again requests the Government to adopt penalties for this purpose.

Articles 3(d) and 4(1). Hazardous work and determination of types of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted draft Order No. 5 fixing the types of work and categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to employment (draft Order No. 5) and observed that the term “child” used in the draft Order is not defined and is sometimes used with an age between 15 and 18 years being indicated (see sections 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13) or without any age specified (see sections 2–4, 6–9 and 11). The Committee nonetheless noted the Government’s statement that a draft regulatory act has been prepared determining the types of work and the categories of enterprises prohibited to young persons and the age requirements regarding the admission of children to work, and that its purpose is to raise the minimum age from 16 to 18 years. The Committee noted that in its report on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), the Government stated that so far there have been no developments regarding the adoption of the draft regulatory act determining the types of work and categories of enterprise prohibited to young persons and the age requirements for the admission of children to work. The Government added that, to remedy this, the text of the draft regulatory act will be revised and copies will be sent to employers’ and workers’ organizations with a view to its adoption at the earliest possible date. The Committee expresses the hope that the draft regulatory act will take account of Articles 3(d) and 4(1) of the Convention. It requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the draft regulatory act is adopted in the near future and to provide a copy of it once it has been adopted.

Article 5. Monitoring mechanisms. Labour inspection. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that sections 154–177 of the Labour Code deal with the bodies and means involved in the application of provisions relating to labour. It noted in particular that under section 154 of the Labour Code the labour and social legislation departments have a central administration and, in each of the islands, a labour and social legislation inspectorate, possibly with one or more controllers. Under section 155 of the Labour Code, the central administration is responsible for the legislative provisions relating to labour and worker protection. Section 156 states that the labour and social legislation inspectorate is responsible for the enforcement of the legislative and regulatory provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers in the performance of their jobs, including provisions on the employment of children and young persons. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again asks the Government to communicate information on the work of the central administration and the labour and social legislation inspectorate, particularly with regard to the worst forms of child labour, including, for example, extracts of reports or documents indicating the scope and nature of violations reported concerning children and young persons involved in the worst forms of child labour.

Criminal offences. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, and inasmuch as Article 3(a)–(c) of the Convention concerns criminal offences, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether it plans to establish additional monitoring mechanisms for use by the labour and welfare administration to ensure the application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 6. Programmes of action. The Committee noted previously that, according to the information sent by the Government in its 2002 annual report under the follow-up to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, a national plan to ensure effective abolition of child labour in the country has been drawn up. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to send information on the measures taken in the context of the implementation of the national plan, indicating, in particular, whether programmes of action for combating the worst forms of child labour have been adopted, and on the results attained.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Noting once again that the Government has not supplied any information on this provision of the Convention, the Committee repeats its request for detailed information on the effective and time-bound measures taken to provide the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration.

Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that child labour is a visible phenomenon in the country, particularly as a result of poverty and the low school enrolment rate among some children. It further noted that children engage in work from the age of 12 onwards, with 94 per cent of children aged between 12 and 18 working in agriculture (15 per cent), fishing (14 per cent) and domestic work (10 per cent). The Committee also noted that the Government had adopted a programme to secure Education for All by 2015 (EPT 2015), and that a national movement for the education of girls has been launched. It nonetheless noted that according to the UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report of 2008, owing to a lack of data, it has been impossible to make projections concerning the achievement of the goals fixed by the EPT by 2015, except as regards gender parity in primary education, where it is indicated that Comoros may not achieve the goals by 2015.

The Committee noted that, according to a programme development document sent by the Government with its report on the Minimum Age Convention 1973 (No. 138), the number of children in primary education virtually stagnated between 2003 and 2007 with the number of children enrolled rising from 104,274 to 104,418, and that the number of pupils in the first and second cycles of secondary education increased during the same period from 37,651 in 2003 to 41,118 in 2007, that is an increase of 2.2 per cent per year. The document also indicated that the net enrolment rate at primary level rose from 73 per cent in 2007 to 76 per cent in 2008. The Committee noted, however, that according to information available on the UNICEF website (www.unicef.org/infobycountry/comoros_statistics.html), for the years 2000–07, the net primary school attendance ratio is only 31 per cent for both girls and boys and the net secondary school attendance ratio is only 11 per cent for girls and 10 per cent for boys. In this regard, the Committee noted the information sent by the Government in the abovementioned programme development document to the effect that the accommodation capacity of schools is very limited and that some, particularly primary and secondary schools, have to refuse to enrol some children of school age. Consequently, many children, especially those from poor families and underprivileged backgrounds, are deprived of education. The document also highlights the ineffectiveness of the school system which is due to poor distribution of teachers and inefficient use of human resources. The education system also suffers from a lack of motivation among training supervisors, insufficient learning time and limited access to school manuals, all factors that account in part for its poor record. Furthermore, in terms of structure, there is a heavy demand for education that the country is unable to meet because of a net shortfall in available resources.

The Committee noted from the programme development document the Government’s statement that it intends to step up efforts to attain the objectives of EPT 2015, in particular by striving to provide universal primary schooling that is free, compulsory and of a high standard, to eliminate all forms of inequality in educational provision in primary and secondary schools, in particular by stepping up education for girls, to improve access to and the quality of secondary education and to diversify educational supply so as to provide all young people with the same opportunities to succeed. The Committee must nevertheless reiterate its concern at the low school attendance rate at both primary and secondary levels. Considering that education contributes to preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government in its commitment to redouble its commitment efforts to improve the functioning of the national education system. In this regard, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in the context of EPT 2015 to raise the school attendance rate and reduce the school drop-out rate, particularly among girls. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on the results obtained.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child domestic labour. The Committee noted previously that, according to the ODEROI annual report of October 2006, child domestic labour is common practice in the country. Poverty, combined with lax enforcement of legislation, is partly responsible for this situation. Although no detailed analysis exists of the conditions of work of child domestic workers in Comoros, the latter are said to be the victims of alarming violence, particularly girls, who are reportedly subjected to sexual abuse by members of the host family. The Committee noted that according to the ODEROI report, a “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk” was adopted in 2004. It noted that children employed in domestic work, particularly little girls, are often the victims of exploitation, which assumes highly diverse forms, and that it is difficult to monitor their conditions of employment because of the “clandestine” nature of the work. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether, in the framework of the implementation of the “National strategy for the protection of children most at risk”, it intends to take effective and time-bound measures to protect children employed in domestic work, particularly girls, against the worst forms of child labour and the various forms of abuse to which they may be subjected. It once again requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken in this regard.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments the Committee noted that no statistical data on the number of children who are victims of the worst forms of child labour appear to be available for Comoros. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again expresses the hope that, in its next report, the Government will be in a position to provide statistics and information on the nature, extent and trends of the worst forms of child labour, the number of children protected by the measures giving effect to the Convention, the extent and nature of violations detected, investigations, prosecutions, as well as on the convictions and penalties imposed. As far as possible, the information supplied should be disaggregated by sex.