Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 October 2022, 06:14 GMT

2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Western Sahara

Publisher United States Department of Labor
Author Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Publication Date 7 June 2002
Cite as United States Department of Labor, 2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Western Sahara, 7 June 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48c8c9f62d.html [accessed 12 October 2022]
DisclaimerThis 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.

There is limited information regarding the extent and nature of child labor and the quality and provision of education in non-independent countries and territories eligible for GSP, AGOA and CBTPA benefits. These areas generally are not eligible to become members of the ILO, and Convention 138 and Convention 182 do not apply to any of them.[2794]

Statistics on the number of working children under the age of 15 in Western Sahara are unavailable, but reports indicate that the few remaining nomadic children work as shepherds.[2840] Residents of Western Sahara are subject to Moroccan labor laws that set the minimum age for employment at 15 years, and prohibit children under the age of 18 from working in hazardous occupations or at night.[2841] Education is compulsory for 8 years.[2842] Information regarding government policies and programs to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in Western Sahara is unavailable.


[2794] Natan Elkin, ILO, electronic correspondence to USDOL official, January 31, 2002. Most of the areas covered in this summary report are considered by the ILO to be non-metropolitan territories and therefore, are ineligible to become members of the ILO. An ILO member can submit a declaration to the ILO requesting that these conventions apply to their non-metropolitan territories.

[2840] Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000 – Western Sahara (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State, 2001), at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/nea/index.cfm?docid=825.

[2841] Ibid. See also Lawrence Connell, U.S. Embassy-Casablanca, electronic correspondence to USDOL official, January 29, 2002.

[2842] UNESCO statistics.

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