Combating the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the National Action Plan

Project background

Alignment with national and international frameworks: 

The project, titled "Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Small Industries and Streets by Supporting the Implementation of the National Action Plan in Egypt," under the slogan: “Empowerment Through Education and Learning in Egypt" (ETEL), aligns with the following key national and international frameworks:

• National Action Plan for Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Egypt and Supporting Family (NAP) (2018–2025).
• The Egyptian Constitution and related national legislation, including laws, decrees, and procedural guidelines.
• International Labour Organization Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning the Minimum Age for Employment.
• International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
• African Union Ten-Year Action Plan towards Eradication of child labour, forced labour, trafficking in persons, and slavery.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 8.7, which calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking, and eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025.

Project goal

The ETEL Project aims to strengthen the existing Tripartite National Steering Committee (NSC) responsible for implementing the NAP. It focuses on advancing initiatives, proposals, and recommendations to enhance child protection from the worst forms of child labour (WFCL).

The project seeks to:

• Enhance the capacities of governmental institutions, private sector entities, employers’ and workers’ organizations to effectively combat child labour in alignment with the NAP.
• Raise awareness about the social, psychological, physical, and economic impacts caused by child labour.
• Provide direct support to 3,000 boys and girls who are either engaged in or at risk of engaging in child labour, particularly in its worst forms.
• Support the necessary infrastructure to deliver sustainable educational, social, psychological, and livelihood services within targeted areas, ensuring the long-term withdrawal of children from WFCL and support for their families.

Key results

1. Support the Egyptian government’s efforts in implementing the National Action Plan.
2. Strengthen the capacities of national stakeholders, including employers’ and workers’ representatives, to better address child labour.
3. Increase awareness of WFCL among children at risk, working children, their families, employers, policymakers, and the public.
4. Prevent and withdraw boys and girls in targeted areas from WFCL, rehabilitate them, and provide access to appropriate services.

Partners

• Ministry of Labour (MOL)
• Tripartite National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS)
• Ministry of Endowments (MOE) and Al-Azhar and the Church
• Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE)
• Ministry of Interior (MOI)
• National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM)
• National Council for Women (NCW)
• Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI)
• Employers’ and workers’ organizations

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries

Children at risk or engaged in WFCL and their families.

Indirect beneficiaries

Members of the NAP NSC, labour inspectors, occupational safety and health inspectors, child labour units at MOL, employers’ and workers’ organizations, social workers, officials at MOSS, NGOs, community schools, religious leaders (Al-Azhar and the Church), MOE and MOI officers, and other stakeholders involved in addressing child labour issues.
 

Contribution to the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  Target 8.7: Immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, and child labour, ensuring its elimination in all forms by 2025.

   

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  Target 16.2: End all forms of violence against children, ensuring every child’s right to live free from fear, neglect, abuse, and exploitation.