2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Papua New Guinea
| Publisher | United States Department of Labor |
| Author | Bureau of International Labor Affairs |
| Publication Date | 10 September 2009 |
| Cite as | United States Department of Labor, 2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Papua New Guinea, 10 September 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4aba3ec9c.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
| Selected Statistics and Indicators on Child Labor | |
|---|---|
| Population, children, 5-14 years (%): | – |
| Working children, 5-14 years (%): | – |
| Working boys, 5-14 years (%): | – |
| Working girls, 5-14 years (%): | – |
| Working children by sector, 5-14 years (%): | |
| – Agriculture | – |
| – Manufacturing | – |
| – Services | – |
| – Other | – |
| Minimum age for work: | 16 |
| Compulsory education age: | Not compulsory |
| Free public education: | No |
| Gross primary enrollment rate (%), 2006: | 55.2 |
| Net primary enrollment rate (%): | – |
| School attendance, children 5-14 years (%): | – |
| Survival rate to grade 5 (%), 2002: | 68.0 |
| ILO Convention 138: | 6/2/2000 |
| ILO Convention 182: | 6/2/2000 |
| CRC: | 3/2/1993 |
| CRCOPAC: | No |
| CRCOPSC: | No |
| Palermo: | No |
| ILO-IPEC participating country: | No |
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
In rural areas of Papua New Guinea, children work in agriculture, including tea and coffee farms, as well as in grocery stores near isolated mine and logging camps. In urban areas, children sell food, cigarettes, betel nut, CDs, and DVDs on the streets and in public places. A large number of children are engaged in domestic service, including children held in indentured servitude to pay off familial debts. Children are involved in prostitution in Papua New Guinea, typically working in bars or nightclubs. Children are also exploited through the production of pornography. Children are trafficked internally for domestic service and commercial sexual exploitation.
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The law sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years, and the minimum age for hazardous work at 18 years. Children 11 to 18 years, however, may work in family businesses by obtaining medical clearance, parental permission, and a work permit from the labor office. Children under 16 years may not work in conditions that are harmful to their health, or their physical, mental, or spiritual development. Work performed by children 11 to 16 years must not interfere with school attendance. Work by children under 11 years is prohibited. Children 16 to 17 years may work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. if a family member is also employed there. Penalties for child labor violations range from a fine to 10 years of imprisonment.
The law prohibits forced labor. The law also prohibits indecent treatment of boys younger than 14 years, indecent treatment and defilement of girls younger than 16 years, and the abduction, kidnapping, or procurement of girls below 18 years for sexual exploitation. Under the law, children below 18 years cannot be charged with prostitution. Penalties for obtaining or procuring a child for commercial sexual exploitation are up to 15 years' imprisonment or life imprisonment if the child is under 12 years. There is no compulsory military service in Papua New Guinea; the minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 years, or 16 years with parental approval.
The Department of Police and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations are responsible for implementing and enforcing child labor laws. However, USDOS reports that enforcement by those departments has been poor due to a lack of resources and cultural acceptance of child labor.
Current Government Efforts to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government's National Plan of Action for Decent Work mandates the elimination of child labor. Beginning in March 2008, the Government began participating in a 4-year USD 19.5 million project supported by the European Commission and the ILO to combat child labor in 11 countries, including Papua New Guinea. The project aims to withdraw children engaged in child labor, improve the capacity of authorities to formulate and enforce child labor policy, and work with social partners and civil society to combat child labor. The Government is also working with NGOs such as the Papua New Guinea Children's Foundation and People Against Child Exploitation to implement the National Action Plan against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 2006-2011.
