Child Labour Policy Discussion was held on the occasion of the World Day Against Labour
Child Protection Compact project (CPC) is being implemented according to the contract between the U.S. and Mongolian Government signed in April 2020. As World Vision International Mongolia (WVIM) began implementing the CPC project, we’ve been partnering with Mongolian government, international organizations while maximizing the partnership for impact engaging CSOs and NGOs within the country to protect child rights.
Recently, on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labor, WVIM has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to co-organize a Child Labour Policy Discussion (on 12, June with a motto of "Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!") where government authorities, representatives of CSOs and sector experts. The discussion aimed at assessing Mongolia's progress and challenges in achieving the UN SDG 8.7, which aims to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2024.
Additionally, recommendations for future solutions were provided. In connection with this, the National Statistics Office were presented the preliminary results of the Child Labour Survey that has been conducted between 2021-2022, shedding lights on the current situation and informing the discussion.
The recommendations include:
1. Improving Labour Law implementation/enforcement:
1.1 To make amendments to the Law on State Inspection and related laws in order to ensure the implementation of Article 162.2.1 of the Labour Law.
1.2 In the draft Law on Statistics, a provision shall be included to mandate the conduction of a baseline survey on child labor every three years [1].
1.3 To integrate the following provision into the "Regulations for Controlling the Entry of Children Across the Border of Mongolia," approved by Order No. A/49 of 2017 from the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs: "Prior to the entry of children across the borders, it is mandatory to verify and ensure that they possess appropriate permissions and contracts from parents or legal guardians, allowing their participation in arts and sports performances, as well as advertising campaigns in foreign countries. Additionally, permission from the state inspector of children's rights must be obtained for such cases."
1.5 To improve the mechanism for detecting cases of children being exposed to the worst forms of child labour. To intensify efforts to ratify ILO Conventions No. 81 and No. 129 concerning labour inspection and exert the influence of the line ministries [on the ratification process].
1.6 To enhance the roles and participation of child rights and labour inspection inspectors in addressing child labour in the informal sector, specifically pertaining to the coerced/forced (?) employment of families and children, as well as the exploitation of child labour.
[1] This proposal has been currently incorporated into the draft law on statistics.
2. Advocacy/promotion of Labour Law and increasing public participation:
2.3 Training and strengthening the capacity of judges/courts, prosecutors, investigators, police, and state child rights inspectors.
4. Aligning sectorial policies and regulations with the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in sectors such as construction, road transport, mining, environment, tourism, food, agriculture, and light industry.
4.3 To enhance the supervision of children traveling to foreign countries for art and cultural performances, as well as participating in competitions and contests. To improve the regulations concerning the verification and overseeing of the permissions provided by the state children's rights inspectors and children’s registration in these contests. To promote increased knowledge and understanding among relevant officials regarding these matters.
The discussion was attended by officials and partners including the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Ms. Axelle Nicaise, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Mongolia, Ms. Bharati Pflug, ILO Senior Specialist, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, Mr. Matthew Ference, U.S Embassy Charge d’affaires and Ms. Enkhzul G, Grant Aquisition and Management Director, WVIM.
Capacity training to equip labour inspectors and child rights officers to combat child labour in Mongolia
In addition to the policy discussion, on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, WVIM and ILO Mongolia has partnered to co-organize a Capacity training to equip 150 labour inspectors and child rights officers from 21 provinces and 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar city.
The objective of the training was to enhance the knowledge and proficiency of participants regarding the enforcement of child labour provisions as specified in the current Labour Law (2021), in addition to the ILO Conventions on child labor (No.138 and No.182), and other relevant domestic laws and regulations. By deepening their understanding of the legal frameworks, labour inspectors and child rights officers will be better equipped to fulfill their roles in inspecting and monitoring workplaces for child labour issues.
This capacity development intervention will contribute to the effective enforcement of the Labour Law. The training program was consisting of two two-day courses and its primary focus were to strengthen the attendees' capacities in selecting high-risk sectors, planning with limited resources, and effectively conducting inspections and monitoring activities in workplaces. Additionally, the training aims to improve collaboration and coordination between labour inspectors and child rights officers.