Report - Social enterprises and the social economy going forward
Romania and ILO-Decade of cooperation-2000-2009-min
1. The Government of Romania and
the International Labour Organization:
A decade of cooperation
on the elimination of child labour
2000–2009
The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
International Labour Office
3. This year the ILO celebrates its 90th Anniversary, against a backdrop of financial crisis
and critical levels of unemployment around the world. Looking to the future means
understanding the past, and as such the ILO’s 90th anniversary celebrations worldwide focus
on the theme of “90 years working for social justice” with a strong forward looking element,
asking how the ILO’s experience working through crisis can add a unique voice to the present
day response to economic crisis. In this context, the activities of ILO’s International
Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour becomes forever more important.
We mark this anniversary at a time of profound economic and
social upheaval. But for the ILO, crisis has historically provided a
crucible for change. Emerging from the cataclysm of the First World
War, the Organization was founded on the basic conviction that
“universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based on
social justice”.
Through war and peace, depression and economic growth, govern-
ments, workers and employers have continued to come together in
dialogue around our table of shared values: that work must be a
source of dignity; that labour is not a commodity; and that poverty
anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.
These values and action were recognized by the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1969. Those values continue to guide and define our work
today. What we are doing is more than a celebration of our past. It is
a strategic opportunity to focus on the pressing priorities of people
today – the need for jobs, social protection, rights at work – and to
forge solutions through dialogue.
From the statement of Juan Somavia,
Director-General of the International Labour Office
on the occasion of the ILO’s 90th anniversary-April 2009
“
”
6. FOREWORDS
All member states that ratify the ILO Minimum Age Convention, No. 138, are
required to develop national policies designed to ensure the effective abolition of
child labour and to set a minimum age for admission to employment or work,
consistent with the fullest physical and mental development of young persons. ILO
Convention No. 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the
elimination of the worst forms of child labour, also requires national programmes
of action and time-bound measures aimed at prevention and the removal of
children from the worst forms of child labour. Article 8 of Convention No. 182 says
that member states are to take appropriate steps to assist one another in giving
effect to the provisions of the Convention through enhanced international
cooperation and/or assistance including support for social and economic
development, poverty eradication programmes and universal education.
It is in this spirit of international solidarity and the framework of the child
labour Conventions that the ILO, through its International Programme on the
Elimination of Child Labour developed in 1992, has been providing technical
assistance to member countries for the progressive elimination of child labour, with
priority to its worst forms.
Romania, one of the countries in Europe that began to make concerted efforts
towards the elimination of child labour, developed its first country programme on child
labour in 2000, with the technical support of the ILO. Joint efforts for the elimination
of child labour in Romania and in several other countries in Central and Eastern
Europe continued over the 2000-2009 period, with some very concrete achievements.
One of the most important achievements in Romania has been to ensure the
political commitment of the Government of Romania and its national partners:
employers, trade unions, law enforcement, academia and civil society. Another
way of measuring the impact of these programmes in the country is to see what
activities are still continuing and what practices have been institutionalized. The
partnership with Romania has been effective in efforts to fight child labour and we
are pleased to report on the achievements over the past decade. The success of the
programmes developed and implemented jointly is described in this publication,
together with the challenges that remain in the country.
We are confident that the Government of Romania along with its partners will
continue working to ensure that no child in Romania is compelled to work because
of poverty and that each child is provided with the opportunity and means to go to
school, to be allowed to enjoy their childhood and to grow up as healthy and
responsible young adults.
The ILO wishes to thank all the partner organizations and their staff for their
commitment, professionalism and diligence demonstrated through our collaboration
over the past decade in Romania. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the
dedication and effective work of Ms Rodica Moise, National Programme Manager and
Ms Izabella Popa, Senior Programme Assistant of the ILO-IPEC team in Romania.
Michele Jankanish
IPEC Director
International Labour Organization
Geneva
June 2009
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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7. It has been already a decade since The Government of Romania and ILO have
joined hands for the elimination of child labour in our country. Over this period a
lot of hard work has been done and many lessons have been drawn from our joint
and individual initiatives towards the elimination of child labour. We regard some
of the strategies and approaches we developed jointly and sustained as good
practices and Romania has been both keen and able to share its experiences in
addressing child labour with other countries in the region.
One of the greatest achievements in this field is the establishment of the Child
Labour Monitoring System, developed with the support of ILO-IPEC and applied
by local authorities and partners at the national level.
The National Authority for the Protection of Child Right is already planning to
extend this model to monitoring all forms of violence against children. A
subcommittee has started to work in order to fulfil this objective with technical
support from ILO IPEC Romania. We take pride in the fact that the model of child
labour monitoring system in Romania is regarded as an effective model and that
it is being regarded as a source of inspiration for other countries dealing with child
labour. At the present, the National Steering Committee is also functioning quite
effectively under the umbrella of the National Authority for the Protection of
Child Rights.
Despite these developments, we are aware that there is still a lot of work to be
done- several of which are; (i) the approval of the Hazardous Child Labour list, (ii)
legal framework to combat child labour in the field of cultural, artistic, publicity,
sport and modelling activities performed by children and (iii) establishment of an
ongoing training system for the professionals working with children involved in
WFCL or children at risk.
We are happy that this publication highlights the main achievements recorded
in our country as well as the challenges facing the Government of Romania and its
partners. On behalf of the Government of Romania and its partners, I would like to
take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to ILO-IPEC for its valuable
assistance over the past decade in Romania as well as to the donor governments of
USA and Germany for their generous financial support. We pledge that Romania
will continue its efforts towards the gradual but total elimination of child labour in
the country in years to come.
Ileana Savu
Secretary of State
Bucharest, Romania
June 2009
Foreword
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8. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CCC Community Consultative Councils
CLMM Child Labour Monitoring Mechanism
CLMS Child Labour Monitoring System
CLU Child Labour Unit
CSDR Confederation of the Democratic Trade Unions from Romania
EU The European Union
FSLI Federation of Free Trade Unions from Education
GD Government Decision
GDSACP General Department for Social Assistance and Child Protection
GIRP-NATIP General Inspectorate of Romanian Police- National Agency against Trafficking
in Persons
ICT Inter-sectoral County Teams
ILO International Labour Organization
IPEC ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
MLFSP Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection
NAPCR National Authority for the Protection of Child Rights
NIP National Interest Programme
NGO Non Governmental Organization
NSC National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Combat of Child Labour
PHARE (EU) Programme of Community Aid to Countries of Central and Eastern Europe
PROTECT-CEE Project of Technical Assistance against labour and sexual Exploitation of Children,
including Trafficking, in Countries of Central and Eastern Europe
SCREAM Supporting Children’s Rights through Education, the Arts and the Media
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNMIK United Nations Mission in Kosovo
USAID United States Agency for International Development
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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9. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
According to recent ILO estimates, over 200 million children are working as labourers globally.
The ILO regards all forms of slavery, sale and trafficking of children for prostitution, pornography,
for selling and transporting illicit drugs, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour, including forced
or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict as unconditional worst forms of
child labour. The ILO, through its International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour has
been working with its partners since 1992 to gradually eliminate child labour. The ILO and its
partners are working for a world where no girl or boy is forced to work at the expense of their health
and development or their future prospects of decent work. The ILO’s International Programme on
the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) with the overall goal of the progressive elimination of child
labour works towards strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem and
promoting a worldwide movement to combat child labour.
1. IPEC’s work on eliminating child labour is an important facet of the ILO’s Decent Work
Agenda. Child labour perpetuates poverty and affects national economies through losses in
competitiveness, productivity and potential income. Withdrawing children from child labour,
providing them with education and assisting their families with training and employment
opportunities contribute directly to creating decent work for adults.
2. The ILO, in partnership with the Government of Romania, workers’ and employers’ represen-
tatives and civil society, has been addressing the issue of child labour since 2000. Through joint
efforts, a number of important developments have taken place in Romania. This publication aims to
provide the reader with an understanding of the phenomenon of child labour as it exists in Romania
and provide a summary of joint actions developed and executed over the 2000-2009 period.
3. The first two chapters give an overview of the issue of child labour – what it is, regional
developments and the global trends in child labour. This section briefly describes ILO’s efforts to
address child labour through IPEC and provides the basis for the ILO’s partnership with the
Government of Romania for addressing child labour issues in the country.
4. Chapter three describes the activities developed and implemented in Romania over a period
of ten years: the projects, their objectives and the results achieved through these projects. This chapter
also provides details of the systems developed and mechanisms put in place for addressing child
labour in Romania.
5. The forth chapter provides an overview the efforts made and the initiatives taken both by the
government of Romania and the national partners. The chapter provides details of the legal reforms
carried out and the legislative measures taken, mechanisms put in place and institutional
arrangements as well as the programme’s and policies developed for the elimination of child labour
and for the reintegration of children withdrawn from work into the society. All the activities and
developments outlined in this part are based on the models and approaches introduced by ILO-IPEC
in Romania.
Executive summary
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10. 6. Chapter five gives a summary of the outcomes and assesses the impact the partnership
between the ILO and the Government of Romania and the national actors have made over the ten
years they have worked together. The chapter summarizes the achievements as: (i) the change in the
mindset of the general public viewing and treating child labour as a social evil, (ii) the legislative
reforms integrating child labour concerns in the Government’s policies, plans and programmes,
(iii) the budgetary allocations for addressing WFCL and the new coordination mechanisms like the
National Steering Committee, the child labour units, and the Intersectoral County Teams that have
been put in place, (iv) the capacity of public sector institutions enhanced through training, (v) a large
number of publications, manuals, documentary films and other resources developed and shared,
(vi) the participation and input of children in activities geared to meeting the needs of their peers.
7. Chapter six provides a list of issues as challenges that remain in the country and makes
suggestions for the sustainability of efforts in addressing child labour. The major challenges that
remain are:
• The child labour monitoring system developed by ILO-IPEC should be scaled up to cover
more incidences of child labour.
• An ongoing training system on child labour should be established, including for media
institutions and the cooperation between the media and national partners active on child
labour should be strengthened.
• Legislative provisions should be made on the prevention of child labour within cultural,
artistic, sport, modelling, publicity and work done by children in similar contexts.
• Services for children left behind by migrant workers and for returned children should be
further developed.
• The private sector must be encouraged to provide more input and involvement in addressing
child labour and inter-regional cooperation among governments and partners should be
enhanced in order to eliminate child labour and to ensure child trafficking is curbed.
This publication maintains that through political commitment an effective partnership,
awareness raising strategies and mobilizing local resources, Romania has gained considerable
experience and technical skills. In this respect, Romania should explore ways and means of sharing
its experience and best practices on addressing child labour, with other countries in the region. The
annexes consist of the detailed list of the studies carried out, national partners, publications and
materials developed and distributed and the references used in the preparation of this publication.
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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11. 1. Introduction
1. INTRODUCTION
THE ILO AND ITS INTERNATIONAL
PROGRAMME ON THE ELIMINATION
OF CHILD LABOUR
The ILO estimates that more than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child
labour, doing work that is damaging to his or her mental, physical and emotional development. The
worst forms of child labour, as defined in the ILO Convention on the worst forms of child labour,
1999 (No. 182), include:
• all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children;
• debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, including forced or compulsory
recruitment of children for use in armed conflict;
• the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography
or for pornographic performances;
• the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production
and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties;
• work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the
health, safety or morals of children.
Studies reveal that children work because their survival and that of their families depend on it.
Child labour persists even where it has been declared illegal. The ILO maintains that while the total
elimination of child labour is a long-term goal in many countries, certain forms of child labour must
be confronted immediately. The ILO and its partners stand for a world where no girl or boy is forced
to work at the expense of their health and development or their future prospects of decent work. In
its efforts to take the lead and address this worldwide phenomenon of child labour with the
participation of its constituents, the ILO has developed a comprehensive, global programme called
the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).
IPEC was created in 1992 with the overall goal of the progressive elimination of child labour, to
be achieved through strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem and promoting
a worldwide movement to combat child labour. IPEC currently has operations in 88 countries, with
an annual expenditure on technical cooperation projects that reached over US$61 million in 2008. It
is the largest programme of its kind globally and the biggest single operational programme of the ILO.
The number and range of IPEC’s partners have expanded over the years and now include
employers’ and workers’ organizations, other international and government agencies, private
businesses, community-based organizations, NGOs, the media, parliamentarians, the judiciary,
universities, religious groups and, of course, children and their families.
IPEC’s work on eliminating child labour is an important facet of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.
Child labour not only prevents children from acquiring the skills and education they need for a better
future, it also perpetuates poverty and affects national economies through losses in competitiveness,
productivity and potential income. Withdrawing children from child labour, providing them with
education and assisting their families with training and employment opportunities contribute
directly to creating decent work for adults.
11
12. Aside from developing and implementing country specific, time-bound programmes for the
progressive elimination of child labour, especially its worst forms, the ILO, through IPEC, has been
formulating sub regional and regional programmes and projects and adopting new strategies to
address child labour related issues, including trafficking of children, considered to be one of the worst
forms of child labour.
This publication is intended to provide some basic facts about child labour and a summary of the
efforts of the Government of Romania has been making towards addressing the issue in partnership
with workers and employers’ representatives, civil society and international development agencies
and with the ILO-IPEC support. It attempts to provide the reader with an understanding of the
phenomenon of child labour as it exists in Romania and provide a summary of joint actions that have
been taken place and plans developed and executed over the 2000-2009 period. It also highlights the
challenges that remain in the country in terms of ensuring that child labour is eliminated and the
services catering for the educational and health needs of children who have been victims of child
labour. ILO considers that lessons drawn from the activities carried out in Romania over the past
decade would serve as examples of effective approaches for other countries trying to address the issue
of child labour in a systematic and sustained manner.
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13. 1. Introduction
2. CHILD LABOUR
GLOBAL AND REGIONAL TRENDS
The ILO Global Report, The end of child labour – Within reach, published in 2006 makes a
comparison on the numbers and trends in child labour, especially its worst forms and says that the
results achieved over a period of mere four years (2000-2004) are very promising. According to the
report, the number of child labourers fell by 11 per cent from 2000 to 2004, or 28 million fewer. The
report also notes an even greater decline of children in hazardous work, 26 per cent for those 5–17
years of age and 33 per cent for those in the 5–14 age group.
When the estimates are compared on a region by region basis, Latin America and the Caribbean
region seems to have experienced a rapid decline in the number of child labourers – by two-thirds
over the last four years. Child labour estimates cited the ILO’s 2006 Global Report on child labour
suggest that the number of children engaged in hazardous work has increased in Africa, while a
decline is recorded in the number of children working in the transition economies in Europe and
Central Asia. Economic growth and poverty reduction linked with political commitment to
combating child labour have led to significant progress in this region.
Europe’s rate of ratification of both the ILO Child Labour Conventions has been very
encouraging. Only three of 49 countries have yet to ratify the ILO Minimum Age Convention No.
138 and only three have not yet ratified the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182. With
the support of national partners, IPEC has begun to elaborate and integrate exit strategies in projects
carried out in Central and Eastern Europe. Strategies developed in Romania are described later in this
document.
CHILD LABOUR IN ROMANIA
The switch in Romania towards a market
economy and democracy after the collapse of the
communist regime in 1989 has brought drastic
changes in the economic, political, and social
environment in the country. As a result of these rapid
changes, unemployment has increased, forcing living
standards to fall below the poverty line in Romania.
Over the next decade, many Romanians began to
migrate and the numbers of migrants going to
Europe has increased significantly since Romania
joined the European Union at the beginning of 2007
in search of jobs and better living conditions. These
sudden changes after 1989 had a direct impact on
children. The number of children missing out on
school and services increased and thousands of
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Child labour data in Romania
• 82,884 children aged between 5 and
17 years (adults’ answers) and
141,905 children aged between 5 and
17 years (children’s answers) are
involved in economical activities;
• The number of the boys involved in
economic activities is higher than the
number of girls;
• More than 90% of them live in rural
areas;
• Half of them are involved in child labour.
National Institute for Statistics 2003
14. children were left in the care of government institutions. The plight of children in Romania,
especially those who were abandoned by their parents (as they could not afford providing care)
attracted international attention. Child labour began to emerge as a problem needing urgent
measures to combat it.
Until recently, the Government of Romania did not routinely collect data on working children,
and for this reason, there were no reliable statistics available when the ILO and the Government of
Romania began to work together in 2000. The ILO-IPEC studies carried out locally (see annexes) also
suggest that, as it is the case in many other countries grappling with child labour, WFCL is much
higher in deprived rural areas and in urban poverty pockets than the national average. In addition to
agriculture harbouring a high number of children as farm hands in Romania, national agencies and
NGOs working with children say that the number of children working on streets, children who are
trafficked internally (e.g. for begging) and those children who are left behind by parents living and
working in other countries is also quite considerable.
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15. 1. Introduction1. Introduction
3. THE ILO COOPERATION
The ILO's IPEC began to provide technical assistance to the Government of Romania and local
partners in the context of a Country Programme implemented between 2000 and 2003. Also, within
an ILO-IPEC programming framework for the sub-region titled Project of Technical Assistance
against Labour and Sexual Exploitation of Children, including Trafficking, in Countries of Central
and Eastern Europe (PROTECT CEE), the ILO supported the following programmes:
• Combating Trafficking in Children for Labour and Sexual Exploitation in the Balkans &
Ukraine (Trafficking Phase I, 2003-2007), funded by the US Department of Labour;
• Combating Child Labour in selected Stability Pact countries: Capacity Building and Direct
Action – Sub-regional Programme with Focus on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (Worst
Forms of Child Labour, 2003-2008), funded by the German Government;
• Trafficking and other Worst Forms of Child Labour in Central and Eastern Europe
(Trafficking Phase II, 2006-2009), funded by the US Department of Labour;
• Upstream Activities for Prevention and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in
Central and Eastern Europe (2009), funded by the German Government.
Within this framework, a considerable number of activities (16 action programmes and 24 mini
programmes), were developed and implemented by nongovernmental organizations and trade
unions (see annexes). In parallel with these, 13 studies were carried out and 16 national tripartite
consultations/workshops were conducted. The action programmes had specific goals and the
mini-programmes often consisted of complementary activities to the action programmes.
THE COUNTRY PROGRAMME 2000-2003
The National Programme for the Prevention and Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in
Romania was launched in 2000. The rationale and justification for this initiative was that
approximately 500,000 children below the age of fifteen had reportedly left school in 1998 and it was
assumed that many of these children began working. It was estimated at the time that some 140,000
children became economically active, mainly in the agricultural sector. Low family income, lack of
educational opportunities and lack of knowledge of families on the negative effects of child labour
were considered the main reasons for children’s engagement in employment. The overall aim was for
IPEC to help the country to take policy development initiatives, prevent the increase of child labour,
build the capacity of concerned governmental and non-governmental agencies, conduct qualitative
research to assess the extent and character of the forms of child labour, implement direct action
activities and raise public awareness in the country about child labour.
The project had three specific objectives:
1. help the Government to develop a National Policy and Plan of Action on child labour,
harmonize its child labour legislation with international standards and develop its
institutional capacity to deal with the problem;
2. help change attitudes and perceptions about child labour and rehabilitate a selected number
of street children;
3. improve the quality of educational and other protective services catering to the needs of
Roma working street children and their families.
15
16. The evaluation carried out at the end of the
implementation of the country programme
emphasized the point that the national mechanisms
for addressing child labour concerns in the country
were still quite weak. This is most probably because
of the frequent changes in legislation regarding safety
and well-being of children and dearth of qualified
and experienced staff to provide quality services to
those children affected. If the necessary laws are not
in place, it is unlikely (as the case has been in
Romania) that necessary financial resources will be
allocated for enhancing the capacity of national
institutions and training and development of its staff.
Furthermore, it appears that the impact of
awareness raising activities on child labour were
somewhat limited, given the meager resources
allocated and the apparent lack of support and
involvement of the national media. The Country
Programme was able to build solid alliances among
concerned Government and civil society institutions
– one of the first and most important steps in
combating child labour.
Based on the experience gained and through a
large consultative process, future programmes were
discussed and developed: the ILO-IPEC, the
Government of Romania and other national and
international stakeholders recognized that a realistic
and effective regional approach to addressing child
labour, including trafficking, was needed in the
planning and implementation of future
programmes. Hence a full fledged, sub-regional
trafficking programme in Romania, Albania,
Moldova and Ukraine was developed.
THE TRAFFICKING PROJECT PHASE I (2003-2007)
The project, funded by the US Department of Labour, was developed and its implementation
began in 2003 for four years. Romania was among the four countries targeted by this project (the
other three countries being Albania, Moldova and Ukraine). The justifications for this project at the
time of its development were: lack of job opportunities, cost of living exceeding average incomes and
weak social safety nets in the countries targeted by the project. It was reported that in some areas,
parents with limited or no other income would arrange for one of their children to migrate to other
cities in the hope of increasing family income.
Such situations and practices in these countries made many children vulnerable to trafficking.
In the planning stages of the programme, Romania was regarded as more experienced in dealing
with the issue simply because the Country Programme implemented with the ILO’s technical
assistance meant that there was already an infrastructure and adequate knowledge available on
child labour in Romania.
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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Outcomes of the activities:
• The institutional capacity at county
level and the district of Bucharest was
enhanced by creating Inter-sectoral
County Teams in a number of counties
(24 administrative units out of 47);
• Three Child Labour Units were created
to serve as focal points within the
National Authority for Child Protection
and Adoption (currently the National
Agency for Protection of Child Rights),
the Ministry of Labour and Social
Solidarity (currently the Ministry of
Labour, Family and Social Protection)
and the Labour Inspection;
• Five action programmes were deve-
loped and implemented by NGOs to
address the needs of rural working
children, Roma working children and
street working children in various
areas of Romania;
• Through direct action, successfully
prevented over 1,200 children at risk
of engaging in child labour and
withdrew over 600 street children from
work and provided education and
health services;
• Studies/baseline surveys/analytical
reports on the socio-cultural and
psychological characteristics of Roma
working street children, street children
and child labour in rural areas provided
valuable inputs in overall policy
development efforts.
17. The main areas of intervention by this project included:
1. advocacy activities to bring legislation and procedures in Romania in line with international
commitments;
2. promoting youth employment and facilitating the long-term reintegration of child victims
of trafficking into the mainstream society;
3. establishing a sub-regional information exchange network on child labour, including
trafficking.
By the end of the first phase, the project reported a number of important achievements:
• Necessary legislative measures for preventing and combating WFCL were put in place as well
as the institutional framework that was needed at both the national and local levels;
• In 2004, a National Steering Committee on child labour was established by a Government
Decision. At present the NSC consists of representatives of the National Authority for the
Protection of Child Rights, Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection, Ministry of
Education, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Administration and
Interior Affairs, National Anti-Drug Agency, National Agency against Trafficking in Persons,
Labour Inspection, workers’ and employers’ organizations, Association of County Councils’
Presidents, Association of County Councils‘ General Secretaries, and NGOs active in child
protection;
• A National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour was approved by the
Government in 2004;
• Child Labour as a national concern was mainstreamed for the first time in the national law,
namely the Law on Promotion and Protection of Child Rights (Law # 272/2004), adopted by
the Romanian Parliament and entered into force in January 2005;
• The Child Labour Unit was officially recognized in 2005 within the National Authority for the
Protection Child Rights.
Since the necessary legislative reforms were carried
out and institutional mechanisms were now in place,
the list of hazardous child labour was also drawn up
through a consultative process and submitted for
approval to the Ministry of Labour and Social
Solidarity (currently named Ministry of Labour,
Family and Social Protection - MLFSP) during the
project's life. At the request of MLFSP, the list was
revised and updated early in 2009 by representatives
from the National Authority for the Protection of
Child Rights (NAPCR), MLFSP and Labour
Inspection. The list was approved by MLFSP and it is
in process of approval as a Government Decision.
The increase in the number of public and private partners involved at all levels is an important
accomplishment of this phase (21 partners). The role of trade unions as implementing agencies and
members of the NSC was important and beneficial to the ILO-IPEC support to Romania. Their
involvement in the employment component of the project was marked particularly notable. Also, as
part of this project, the Child Labour Monitoring Mechanism initiated in 2002 was further tested in
selected areas and improved. It was applied through the Inter-sectoral County Teams.
3. The ILO cooperation
17
Monitoring of child labour is a tool for the
prevention and elimination of child labour.
Monitoring child labour comprises:
• direct and periodic observation of
working places to identify children that
work;
• determining the risks, to verify whether
they have been withdrawn from labour
or whether the risks have diminished;
• verifying that they benefit from satis-
factory alternatives provided to them.
18. The capacity of the key partners to deal with the issue was also enhanced through the Project by
means of training provided to a large number of specialists including teachers, school counselors and
social workers. Tools and awareness raising materials on various topics such as peer education, life
skills, vocational counseling and entering labour market, gender, understanding vulnerability, good
practices and lessons learned were developed and distributed. In addition, translations of materials
developed by ILO-IPEC into Romanian were produced and distributed.
THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR PROJECT, 2003-2008
This project was funded by the Government of Germany and covered Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova,
Romania and Kosovo / UNMIK as these countries are deeply affected by the worst forms of child
labour and that their governments are committed to eliminating the problem. The activities of this
project ran in tandem with the Phase II of the Trafficking Project and had two immediate objectives.
These are to:
1. assist the governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, NGOs and other partners to
gain technical skills and organizational capacity to formulate and implement policies and
programmes preventing worst forms of child labour, to protect, withdraw children from
child labour or children at risk and rehabilitate and reintegrate them in the society;
2. increase the volume of information and the level of knowledge on child labour, including
trafficking and facilitate sharing of experience and expertise to generate and replicate good
practices and effective interventions at the sub-regional level.
Being one of the first countries in Central and Eastern Europe that started to take necessary steps
to address child labour, much of the necessary groundwork was already done in Romania by the time
this project was developed and began to be implemented. This is partly why Romania was in a
position to document lessons learned and best practices both for up-scaling at the country level and
for sharing with countries covered by the project.
As the results indicate, much of what this project has achieved not only strengthened the capacity
of the partners, but also enhanced the legal framework within which child labour and trafficking
related issues could be addressed effectively in the country. The level of involvement by partners,
exchange of information and best practices with the countries targeted by the project also
demonstrate that Romania is ready to provide guidance and advice to other countries in the region
who are dealing with the problem of child labour. Having built upon the success of activities carried
out since the ILO and the Government of Romania signed a Memorandum of Understanding in
2000, by the end of the project a number of achievements at the country level could be cited:
• The capacity of key institutions, trade unions, NGOs and professionals to deal with child
labour issues was enhanced through training, guidance and use of the ILO-IPEC materials
(over 900 professionals were trained);
• National authorities, trade unions, media and NGOs were mobilized to address child labour;
• Over 1,250 children were withdrawn from work or prevented from working through
education or training opportunities or other services (legal assistance, counseling, health
services, nutrition, uniforms, books and school supplies, stipends, other incentives);
• The amount of national and local resources allocated for child labour activities increased both
by the Government via the National Interest Programmes (NIP) and by the business sector
(e.g.: Open Your Heart Campaign);
• Numerous resources on child labour were produced and distributed for use by professionals
(SCREAM, 23 Good Practices documented and shared, studies, training manuals, ILO-IPEC’
materials translated);
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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19. • Exchange of experiences with other countries
in the region facilitated (training on Child
labour monitoring system in Moldova, study
tours with Bulgaria and Turkey on Child
labour monitoring system and on the
functioning of the NSC, training on the use of
SCREAM in Ukraine and on designing and
implementing action programmes in some
countries in Central Asia);
• Awareness raising activities increased: a
documentary named "Broken Dreams"
produced and broadcasted on national/local
TV stations and intensively used in training programmes - as such around 5,000 professionals
trained on child labour in the framework of the EU Phare Programme executed by NAPCR;
• Donors' collaboration with some key national actors to address child labour increased
(UNICEF, UNDP, USAID Washington and USAID Romania/ChildNet).
TRAFFICKING PHASE II, 2006-2009
As noted earlier, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine were covered by the
first phase of an ILO-IPEC project, Combating Trafficking in Children for Labour and Sexual
Exploitation in the Balkans and Ukraine. Based on the success of this project and the others already
mentioned, it was decided that a second phase of the project should be developed and implemented.
The second phase began in September 2006 for a period of three years and covered Albania, Bulgaria,
Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. The overall objective of this phase was to
scale-up the models already developed in the region with an increased number of direct beneficiaries
and additional resources from governments, employers and donors. The other objective was to
strengthen and extend knowledge and experience sharing among participating countries. More
specifically, the project objectives for the sub-region were to:
1. Scale up IPEC models of prevention, identification, referral and rehabilitation and tracking
through capacity building of institutions and ensure greater involvement of employers;
2. Prevent and withdraw 4500 children from the Worst Forms of Child Labour in sectors/areas
previously not addressed by IPEC interventions. (The target in romania was for
1000 children);
3. Increase efforts towards mainstreaming of the elimination of the worst forms of child
labour into national policies and legislation, and awareness raising as well as towards
increasing resources allocation for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
Through the project, significant knowledge sharing and mainstreaming of child labour issues
into the agendas of the governments and other agencies was accomplished:
• A child labour report for the year 2008 was prepared by the Child labour Unit within the
NAPCR based on the information provided by Intersectorial County Teams (ICT) through
the child labour monitoring system;
• IPEC SCREAM publication, and the Self Guide for Youth entering the world of work were
uploaded on NAPCR site (www.copii.ro);
3. The ILO cooperation
19
SCREAM is an education and social
mobilization initiative developed by IPEC
to help educators worldwide, in formal
and non-formal education settings, to
cultivate young people’s understanding
of the causes and consequences of child
labour. The programme emphasizes the
use of the visual, literary and performing
arts and provides young people with
powerful tools of self-expression while
supporting their personal and social
development.
20. • The Ministry of Education approved the use of SCREAM at the national level by the educational
staff both in schools and in the nonformal education conducted by the network of children’s
palaces and clubs;
• The child labour issue was mainstreamed by NAPCR into the working procedures for
implementation of the Minimum Mandatory Standards for Information and Coordination
Centers for Street Children;
• The model of Child labour monitoring system was finalized and validated by NAPCR and the
NSC. Child labour cases are identified by professionals (members of the Inter-sectoral County
Teams and Community Consultative Councils) and reported to General Department for
Social Assistance and Child Protection (GDSACP). A practical guide on Child labour
monitoring system was printed and distributed nationwide;
• A collection of good practices was identified and recorded during the ten years of ILO-IPEC
work in Romania and submitted to NAPCR to be uploaded on their website;
• A 20 minutes documentary on CLMS development and the good practices identified in
Romania was released for use at the national level;
• A Code of Conduct against child labour in the constructions sector in Romania was
developed for distribution and adherence among employers' organizations;
• The number of children targeted was over 1,000, 400 of whom were withdrawn and over 600
prevented from entering child labour.
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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21. 1. Introduction
4. NATIONAL EFFORTS
TOWARDS ELIMINATING
CHILD LABOUR
THE GOVERNMENT
Romania is a founding member of the ILO. As a member of the international community, a
member of the United Nations and more recently as a member of the EU, Romania has obligations
and commitments and over the past decade, the government has been making concerted efforts to
meet these requirements.
Romania has ratified various international conventions related to child labour issues: ILO
Minimum Age Convention No. 138 (1973) ratified in 1975, the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child (1989) ratified in 1990, and the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182 (1999)
in 2000. It is in the context of these Conventions as well as the membership criteria for joining the
European Union that Romania developed and implemented programmes and adopted new laws for
immediate enforcement.
In this process, the inputs and support of workers’ and employers’ representatives rate a special
mention. Through their active involvement and efforts, both as members of the National Steering
Committee and as social partners, employers and trade unions have been instrumental in obtaining
some of the results achieved over the past decade.
The following is a summary of the key developments that have taken place in the country in the
areas of:
• legal reforms and legislative measures,
• infrastructure and institutional arrangements,
• programmes and policies for children.
These can be summed up as follows:
Legal reforms and legislative measures:
§ The Law # 678/2001 on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons is in line with the
most recent European legislation and with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children Supplementing the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime;
§ The Law # 272/2004 on Promotion and Protection of Child Rights adopted by the Romanian
Parliament and entered into force in January 2005;
§ The Law # 53/2003 on Labour Code;
§ The aw # 196/2003 for preventing and combating pornography;
§ The Law # 211/2004 as a measure to ensure protection for the victims of criminal offences;
§ Methodology for the repatriation of Romanian unaccompanied children and ensuring special
protection measures in their favour (GD # 1443/2004);
è
21
22. è
§ The Law # 268/2003 and Law # 354/2005 for modifying and supplementing the Education
Law # 84/1995 which stipulates the extension of compulsory education to 10 years, free
provision of school textbooks for pre-school children and compulsory education, as well as
for children in the upper secondary school whose parents have low incomes;
§ The Government Ordinance # 33/2001 that stipulates provision of school supplies for
children from low income families;
§ The Government Ordinance # 96/2002 that stipulates the daily provision of dairy and bread
products for all the children in the state primary school;
§ The Law # 279/2005 on Apprenticeships at the work place, with provisions related to the age
(15-25 years), status, apprenticeship conditions and incentives for employers;
§ The Government Decision # 335/2007 on the National Mechanism for Identifying and
referral of victims of trafficking.
Infrastructure and institutional arrangements
§ The National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Combat of Child Labour (NSC)
officially approved by the Government (GD # 617/2004);
§ The Sub-Group for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Children established under the
Inter-Ministerial Group against Trafficking in Persons officially recognized in 2004 (Order
of NAPCR State Secretary and the Ministry of Administration and Interior # 123/429/2004);
§ The Child Labour Unit officially recognized by Secretary of State of NAPCR (Order # 294/2005);
§ Inter-sectoral County Teams for monitoring child labour issues and trends established based
on the provisions of the NPA for the Elimination of Child Labour in each county and sector
of Bucharest;
§ CommunityConsultativeCouncilsstarttobeestablishedbasedontheprovisionofLaw#272/2004.
Programmes and policies for children
§ The Priority Actions Plan for Child Protection against Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation for
2004-2005 adopted by the Government Decision (GD # 726/2004);
§ The National Plan of Action for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Children
(GD # 1295/2004);
§ The National Action Plan for the prevention and combating of sexual abuse and sexual
exploitation 2004-2007 GD # 1504/2004;
§ The National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour was approved by the
Government (GD # 1769/2004);
§ The Action Plan for the Improvement of the Situation of Street Children: 2005-2006;
§ The National Anti-Drug Strategy, 2005-2012 (GD # 73/2005);
§ The Government Strategy for the improvement of the situation of the Roma community
(GD # 430/2001);
§ The National Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Plan for 2002-2012, (GD # 829/2002);
è
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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23. è
§ The National Strategy in the Field of Protection and Promotion of Child’s Rights for the period
2008-2013 (GD # 860/2008);
§ The National Strategy against Trafficking in Persons, 2006-2010 (GD # 1654/2006) and the
National Plan of Action 2008-2010 for the implementation of the National Strategy against
Trafficking in Persons;
§ National Standards for Specialized Assistance Services provided to victims of trafficking
(GD # 1238/2007);
§ Minimum Mandatory Standards Counselling Centre for the Abused, Neglected and
Exploited Children, Child Help Line for reporting cases of child abuse, neglect and
exploitation and Resource Centre for the Prevention of child abuse, neglect and
exploitation (NAPCR Order # 177/2004);
§ National Interest Programmes funded by the Romanian Government through NAPCR
(2004-2009) implemented by Save the Children Romania and Orthodox Philanthropy Alba
and through GIRP-NATIP (2008-2009) implemented by Louise Pasteur Craiova,
Association for Developing Alternative Practices for Reintegration and Education, Women
Association against Violence, Philanthropy Foundation- Timisoara.
The above legislative actions are concrete examples of the Government’s political commitment to
addressing child labour. Through their own efforts and with international technical assistance, the
Government of Romania and its social partners at the national level have matured considerably and
have become more effective in addressing child labour. This is reflected in the following recent
developments:
Ø The National Plan of Action against
Violence on Children (2009-2013) is being
finalized by the National Authority for
Protection of Child’s Rights (NAPCR) based
on a project funded by Council of Europe and
UNICEF;
Ø The National Strategy for Professional
Training in the Field of Child Rights
Protection (2009-2013) is in the process of
being finalized by NAPCR (funded by USAID
Romania / ChildNet);
Ø A “Street Children Initiative” Project is
being coordinated by NAPCR funded by the
Council of European Development Bank
targeting 3,000 direct beneficiaries, street
children, including working street children;
Ø The “Development of community day care services” Project coordinated by NAPCR funded
by the Council of European Development Bank;
Ø A study on trafficking in children in Romania (2008-2009) conducted by GIRP-NATIP in
the framework of PHARE 2006 project "Improving the institutional capacity of the agencies
to prevent trafficking in human beings in line with the current European standards and best
practices" implemented in Romania, Greece and Austria.
4. National efforts towards eliminating child labour
23
NAPCR’ relevant National Interest
Programmes:
• Social Integration of Street children,
2000-2004
• Preventing and Combat of Child
Labour, 2005
• Combating Trafficking in Children,
2003-2005
• Network of community based services
for child and family development,
2005-2009
• Ongoing training of the staff from child
protection services, 2006-2009
• Specialized services for juvenile
delinquents, 2008-2009
24. THE NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR THE PROTECTION
OF CHILD RIGHTS (NAPCR)
NAPCR is the highest, most well equipped national institution overseeing all activities related to
children, planning and providing strategic direction to both international and local initiatives on
children's well being in Romania. It was established in January 2005, pursuant to the provisions of
Law 275/2004 and the Government Decision # 1432/2004, and in parallel with the enforcement of the
legislative package on the protection and promotion of child's rights.
The NAPCR which operates as a specialized
organization within the central public adminis-
tration is under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour,
Family and Social Protection. Its main responsi-
bilities include:
• protection and promotion of child’s rights;
• preventing separation of the child from its parents
and offering special protection to the child that
has been temporarily or permanently separated
from its parents.
In 2008, the NAPCR took over the chair of the
National Steering Committee, established initially by
ILO-IPEC and chaired for three years, by the Labour
Inspection. The NAPCR is presently the focal point
for Child Labour monitoring as well as for child
rights monitoring in Romania.
The NAPCR mainstreamed child labour issue
within the protection of child rights and the complex
problem of violence against children. Therefore, in
2009 it was decided that the coordination responsi-
bilities of the NSC should be extended to cover all
forms of violence against children.
LABOUR INSPECTION
The Romanian Labour Inspection, a special body of the central public administration,
subordinated to the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection (Law # 108/1999), has been a
very active partner since the beginning of child labour elimination efforts. The Labour Inspection
ensured the coordination of the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Elimination of
Child Labour (NSC) since its set up in 2000 until 2008, when this responsibility was taken over by the
NAPCR. In 2001, the Labour Inspection launched an information and awareness raising campaign,
aimed at informing employers and employees on the legal provisions for the protection of children
against exploitation and for the identification of child labour cases. The Labour Inspection is focused
on the enforcement of the legal provisions on combating child labour. Labour Inspectors are
members of the Intersectoral County Teams for preventing and combating child labour, the
identified cases being reported to the General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection
(GDSACP) in order to provide necessary services for children and families. These cases are in turn
reported to the NSC for further action at central level. In 2008, the Labour Inspection reported a total
of 241 youths between 15-18 years old found at work without observing the legal provisions. In this
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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Some child labour monitoring results
from the formal and informal sectors (as
at 2008):
Out of a total of 47, 35 Inter-sectoral
County Teams (ICTs) registered 1,072
incidences of child labour. Out of these,
925 were recorded as child labour cases.
Out of the 925 cases:
• 544 cases were from urban areas and
381 from rural areas
• 417 were girls and 508 boys
• 65.3% of these children were aged
between 0-14 years and 34.7% of
them aged between 15-18 years.
• 627 children were withdrawn from
child labour
• The types of jobs children were found
working in include: bonded labour (42),
begging (559), victims of internal
trafficking (28), victims of external
trafficking (43), work without a labour
contract (68), forced labour (32),
prostitution (42), pornography (3) and
other illicit activities (67).
25. case the employers are penalized and cases are notified to court because child labour is formal sector
is considered a crime in Romania (art. 280 from Law # 53-2003). As a result of Labour Inspection's
concern on the child labour prevention, provisions related to the child labour issues were established
in the new Labour Code (Law # 53/2003). More information on its activities is available on the
Labour Inspection website: www.inspectmuncii.ro.
TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS
A Child Labour Unit was established within the Federation of Free Trade Unions from Education
(FSLI) and as a result, child labour issue is constantly on the agenda of FSLI and the Confederation
of the Romanian Democratic Trade Unions (CSDR). This means that child labour is fully integrated
in the activities of both FSLI and CSDR.
The business sector is more and more involved in child labour activities as a result of the
combined awareness raising efforts of IPEC partners in Romania. CORA, a large hypermarket chain
and a major employer started a campaign called the "Open your Heart" in 2005, mobilizing the
community's support for sending former working children back to school. This campaign is
organized annually and it is being expanded in parallel with CORA's extension in Romania.
POLICE
The police force in Romania has been an effective and committed partner in addressing child labour
in the country. At the central level, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police implemented a
prevention campaign against sexual abuse and exploitation of children (2006-2007) and on juvenile
delinquency (2008-2009) at the national level, through information and training of police.
In 2008, the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons (NATIP) under the General
Inspectorate of Romanian Police (GIRP) conducted local and national awareness raising campaigns
with various actors at national and county levels. Partners consisted of the County Inspectorates of the
Police, Labour and School, Border Police, Transportation Police, Combating Organized Crime Services,
County Employment Agencies, schools, NGOs and others and the campaigns carried out comprised:
§ Step aside from “PERFECT” occasions providing „PERFECT” jobs!
§ Protect children’s childhood!
§ Working in the Check Republic – trafficking in persons
§ Trafficking in persons does exist! Decide today... not tomorrow!
§ Observing 18 October – European Day against trafficking in persons
§ Euro 2008 – trafficking in persons may affect even your life! in Romania and Republic of
Moldova
§ Your money makes traffickers wealthier... Your money kills souls!
§ 16 Days against violence on women – Cluj County
§ Human trafficking is inhuman and Stop trafficking in children!-Timis County.
One of the most recent initiatives taken by the Bucharest Metropolitan Police is the Campaign
"Prince and Pauper campaign!" implemented in 2008 for public awareness raising on child and adult
beggary. The campaign was replicated in other counties as well.
The County Inspectorate of the Police from Iasi marked the Police Day this year (2009) through
various activities among which an eight hour marathon of the documentary films titled "With and
about the Police". The IPEC documentary on CL "Broken Dreams" was also used on this occasion.
4. National efforts towards eliminating child labour
25
26. THE INTER-SECTORAL COUNTY TEAMS
Botosani County‘s “Together – Against Child
Labor”, a Project implemented in 2005 with funds
from Partnerships Development local contribution
of ICTs member institutions, targeted the local
authorities and the professionals and over 700
children from the rural areas. They have been
informed and trained on child’s rights, hazardous
labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Cluj County developed and conducted an
awareness raising campaign on trafficking in
children, especially among girls from ballet schools,
conducted in 10 schools in 2006 for children.
Hunedoara County organized awareness raising
activities targeting young children during the school
year 2005-2006.
Mehedinti County carried out a media campaign
to sensitize the public opinion and key stakeholders
(2005-2006) on CL, including the role and responsibilities of the main actors such as mayors and
school principals at the county level.
Neamt County a) conducted an awareness raising campaign by mobilizing the local media TV
channels and distributing information materials in 2005 and b) established a counselling centre for
child labourers in Piatra Neamt established in 2006 with funds provided by the ChildNet Programme
(Romanian-American Partnership in the field of child protection).
In Salaj County, 61 mayors were briefed on child labour issues related to the provisions of the
Law 416/2001 on the minimum wage (it was considered a priority because parents had a tendency to
use their children for performing the activities requested by the law in order to benefit from its
provision); special clause on legal age for employment was mainstreamed in the partnership
agreements signed by the GDSACP with 14 local employers.
Teleorman County‘s “Think about your future” campaign was organized in 2006 in high schools
and day care centres.
Arad County implemented the PHARE “Communication without Borders” project in
collaboration with the Centre for Assistance, Child Protection and Rehabilitation from Bekes,
Hungary- provided training on child labour issues for the professionals from both countries.
Awareness raising activities such as round tables with local authorities, information sessions for
teachers / professionals and children in schools and placement centres, leisure time activities for
children, street campaign for community members, were organized by 27 ICTs to mark World Day
Against Child Labour in 2008.
CIVIL SOCIETY AND NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
As in many other countries, civil society action on children’s issues is becoming increasingly more
widespread, effective and impacting in Romania. There are quite a number of NGOs established and
operating in Romania and are highly successful in developing projects and programmes, in attracting
financial support and sustaining their actions. Some of the Romanian NGOs most notable for their
work on child labour and a summary of their actions are given below.
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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Inter-sectoral County Teams in
Romania:
• consist of child protection department,
labour inspectorate, police inspectorate,
school inspectorate, public health
agency, NGOs;
• oversee the implementation of the
CLMS;
• carry out awareness raising activities
targeting decision makers and the
general public on child labour;
• carry out professional training on Child
labour including CLMS
• submit periodic and annual reports on
child labour to the CLU/ NAPCR for
follow up and action.
27. Save the Children Romania (Salvaþi Copiii)
Save the Children is one of the most established and
experienced partners in combating child labour in Romania.
One of the first activities carried out by Salvati Copiii was the
Campaign for the ratification of the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182 during
1999-2000 funded by the Global March.
A network of educational centres in Bucharest and in 12 counties providing services to over
2288 children, including ex-working children are run with funds collected annually by organizing
the Christmas Tree Festival and the Open your Heart Campaign in partnership with the business
sector (2005-2009). The first educational centre was established during the IPEC CP and then
replicated by Save the Children Branches in close collaboration with schools.
The Code of Conduct on child protection against sexual exploitation in tourism was drafted in
2005 with support from OSCE and signed by the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation, the National
Association of Travel Agents and Sofitel hotel.
Save the Children Iasi Branch implemented the PHARE Project "Consolidation of Democracy in
Romania" Component 2 - Democracy, human rights, independence of justice and fight against
corruption. One of the most successful activities organised is the training of prosecutors and
magistrates, the programme of which included the topic of the worst forms of child labour. In
addition, a training session for professionals working with children involved in drug abuse was
conducted in partnership with National Anti-Drug Agency (2007-2008).
The Project titled “Together for Our Children” was implemented in collaboration with the Youth
and Children Association Faclia Ungheni from Republic of Moldova and the Association for Economic
Development from Kolomiya, Ukraine, funded by the Soros Foundation. Training was organized for
professionals working with child victims of trafficking and other forms of child labour (in 2008).
"The Mobile School" Project initiated in 2005 with funds from the PHARE Programme continues.
This is an educational method with a range of materials designed for street children and children form
disadvantaged communities (groups vulnerable to child labour).
Alternative Sociale Association
Another established partner of both the ILO-IPEC and
national actors, Alternative Sociale Association has been
developing and implementing a range of activities in Romania,
especially in the rural areas. One of its earlier projects was titled
"Prevention of Child Labour, Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Children" (2003-2004) in Iasi
county funded by USAID Washington, through the Creative Associates International Inc. Some of the
main outcomes of this project were the creation and distribution of a manual for children and a
methodology for teachers for the prevention of child labour and for the reduction of the vulnerability
to trafficking of children through vocational training, the creation of a handbook on career guidance
(Self Guide for Youth entering the world of work), trainings for teachers in the counties of Botosani
and Suceava, development of an information and awareness raising campaign for the prevention of
child exploitation (sexual, labour and trafficking in children), creation of a study aiming to determine
the level of awareness of the phenomenon of child labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation.
In 2008, Alternative Sociale Association conducted a Campaign "Worst Forms of Child Labour in
rural areas" in partnership with a local radio station in Iasi County. The campaign aimed at informing
and mobilizing local community to support child labourers to go back to school.
4. National efforts towards eliminating child labour
27
28. The projects implemented between 2005 and 2009 on combating trafficking in children achieved
the following main results:
§ direct services for child victims of trafficking;
§ establishment of the Regional Coalition Against Trafficking In Human Beings (funded by the USAID
Romania / ChildNet), later transformed into Regional Coalition for Combating the Negative Effects
of Migration (including a larger array of issues of children associated with migration);
§ an awareness raising campaign funded by USAID Romania / ChildNet, International Organization
for Migration, UNICEF, Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe;
§ creation of the website www.antitrafic.ro funded by UNICEF and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM);
§ publication of professional literature on a variety of topics: "Trafficking in Human Beings:
Offender-Victim-Offence" (mandatory reading for law university and master students funded
by the British Embassy in Bucharest), "Information Guide on Trafficking in Human Beings -
Prevention, Combating, Victim Assistance" (EU and International Organization for
Migration), "Trafficking in Human Beings- Practices and resources for combating and
collaboration Romania - Republic of Moldova" (EU), and "Methodology for Working in the
Centers for the Assistance and the Protection of the Victims of Trafficking" (supported by
International Organization for Migration).
Projects for children left home alone by their parents working abroad were implemented between
2006 - 2009 with UNICEF assistance: a national study conducted, a website established
(www.singuracasa.ro) and services provided (support, counseling, after school activities).
International Foundation for Child and Family
The International Foundation for Child and Family developed and
implemented a Project called "Combating trafficking in children" between 2003
-2004 funded by the USAID through Creative Associates International Inc. The
project established and trained ICTs in eight counties, based on the model of
Child labour monitoring system developed and tested by ILO-IPEC. Another Project "Combating
trafficking in children" was implemented in 2005 with UNICEF funds. This project established and
trained ICTs in four counties based on the ILO-IPEC model.
The Project AGIS "Good practices in the field of the hearing of child victims of sexual violence"
covers the period 2006-2007 and was implemented in partnership with NGOs from France, England,
Belgium, Italy, Germany and Poland funded by the European Commission. Through this project, the
legal norms and procedures regarding hearing of children victims of sexual violence was analysed and
recommendations were formulated based on the European standards.
Centre Partnership for Equality
Centre Partnership for Equality organized an international
conference titled "Knowledge Sharing on Preventing and
Combating Child Labour, Including Trafficking in Children,
in South-East European Countries" in Bucharest, in 2006. At
this conference, participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine were
able to share their experiences, to learn from each other and identify emerging good practices from
each country. Funding was provided by the East-East Programme of the SOROS Foundation and
local funds.
The Government of Romania and the International Labour Organization: A decade of cooperation on the elimination of child labour 2000–2009
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29. 4. National efforts towards eliminating child labour
5.SUMMARY OF OUTCOMES
AND THE IMPACT
OF JOINT EFFORTS
Over the 2000-2009 period in Romania, a strong partnership dealing with children’s issues has
been established. In some cases, these partners have learned about the nature and scope of the child
labour problem in the country by doing, which is by securing funding for their proposed activities
and by advice, guidance and training obtained from the ILO-IPEC and other international partners.
In other cases, partners have provided inputs, primarily in the form of in-kind contributions,
discussions and overall support to the programmes and projects implemented with funds provided
by donor governments and with national resources.
In Romania, the impact and effectiveness of this partnership and the concrete results achieved
with the technical assistance of ILO-IPEC over the past decade cover many areas of policy and
practice and can be summed up as follows:
Awareness and knowledge on child labour:
v Child labour issue is now widely recognized as a social evil. Activities highlighting the plight
of child victims and vulnerability of children, especially from those disadvantaged sections
of the community and events and activities advocating for children’s rights have resulted in
heightened awareness of the general public. Just as importantly, politicians, civil servants
and community leaders and other decision makers have become better informed and their
responsibilities in this regard highlighted.
Political commitment, policies and programmes:
v As a result of this awareness and partnership that ensured political commitment, important
legislative reforms have been carried out and child labour concerns have successfully been
integrated in the government’s policies, plans and programmes.
v The policy and legislative reforms carried out by the Government also resulted in the
establishment of new coordination mechanisms at the national level. The National Steering
Committee, the Child Labour Units, Inter-sectoral County Teams, and the CCCs are
concrete examples of the structures established for ensuring coordination and strategic
direction on CL issues in the country.
v The budgetary allocations from the national and local resources for policies and programs
addressing the worst forms of child labour and the services for children affected by this
phenomenon have increased gradually but significantly. On-going political commitment to
addressing child labour and effective strategies adopted for this purpose have also resulted
in accessing additional international resources.
v The Government of Romania has recently extended the Memorandum of Understanding
with the ILO on addressing child labour, valid until 2013.
29
30. Institutional capacity:
v The capacity of public sector institutions and agencies concerned with or responsible for
children's safety and well being, have been enhanced through training and joint efforts with
ILO-IPEC, social partners and civil society. Some of the participating agencies went through a
process of organizational development, adopted new working methods and approaches. They
became more successful and effective in monitoring and evaluation practices on child labour.
v The capacity of partner NGOs have been enhanced through training and exchange of
experiences. Some of these NGOs expanded their existing services such as counselling,
shelter, education and recreation for children involved in child labour.
Materials and resources:
v The projects supported by ILO-IPEC have also been prolific in that they have documented,
published and widely distributed, a large number of publications, manuals, documentary
films and other resources designed to share experiences with partners. They have modelled
their publications and resources such as training manuals on the ILO-IPEC publications
and materials and report on good practices, also highlighting lessons learned through their
activities (see the annexes).
Partnerships:
v Over the 2000-2009 period, a strong partnership on child labour issues has been established
in Romania. All concerned government ministries and departments, workers unions,
employers, the police, the civil society, academic institutions and the media demonstrated
their commitment to eliminating child labour through sustained efforts, both though their
individual efforts and collaboratively.
Child Participation:
v One of the strategies developed and applied by the ILO-IPEC in the projects it supports
globally is the active participation and involvement of target beneficiaries the projects
define. In Romania, continued efforts to involve parents and children in activities has paid
off: ensuring the participation and input of children in activities geared to meeting the
needs of their peers and enhancing the level of awareness is now an effective and on-going
practice. The projects found that peer to peer information exchange, education and similar
joint activities have produced excellent results, especially in the context of work with street
children and with victims of trafficking.
The ILO-IPEC and partners in Romania consider that these developments do in many ways set
as examples for other countries grappling with child labour. The activities of the partners, the
resources developed and the approaches to addressing child labour in Romania can be considered
as good models for other countries.
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31. 1. Introduction
6.CHALLENGES
AND SUGGESTIONS
FOR SUSTAINABILITY
& FUTURE STEPS
Countries normally remain committed to meeting their political and social responsibilities as
long as they have the financial means and have access to knowledge, technical capacity built upon
past experiences, and on methods and approaches that have proven to be effective. The summary of
actions taken and the partnerships developed over the past decade in Romania demonstrate that child
labour problem can indeed be addressed and eliminated in a sustained way.
The following set of suggestions is intended to be a reminder that there is no room for
complacency when addressing the issue of child labour. These suggestions are also to reiterate the
point that all partners must strive to do their best to ensure that child labour, especially its worst
forms, is eliminated in order to protect the young generation.
CHALLENGES
In the context of recent developments and successful interventions over the past ten years in
Romania, the following challenges remain in the country:
• The child labour monitoring system developed and introduced by the ILO-IPEC should be
scaled up to cover more incidences of child labour, especially in the rural areas where children
are found to be working, mainly in agriculture;
• The viability and the potential effectiveness of child labour monitoring to cover other forms
of violence against children should be further supported;
• An ongoing training system on child labour for members of the ICTs should be established for
informing and training other professionals such as social workers, counsellors, teachers,
psychologists, and the media as well as other actors involved in the prevention and combat of
child labour;
• The institutional capacity of the Child Labour Unit to plan and conduct studies, to act as a
clearing house and to collect and disseminate good practices should be further developed;
• Legislative provisions should be made on the prevention of child labour within cultural,
artistic, sports, modelling, publicity and work done by children in similar contexts without
delay;
• Services for children left behind by migrant workers and for returned children should be
further developed;
• A data base on unaccompanied foreign children on the territory of Romania should be
developed in order to prevent their exploitation;
• A working relationship between the concerned Government institutions and the mass
media institutions should be enhanced in order for the media to contribute towards
increasing the level of awareness of the general public on child labour and a correct coverage
of child labour cases;
31
32. • Political commitment of the Government should be sustained through the advocacy efforts of
and lobbying for child rights by the civil society, NGOs, employers, workers academic
institutions and religious groups;
• The private sector must be encouraged to provide more input and involvement in addressing
child labour;
• The inter-regional cooperation among governments and partners should be enhanced in
order to eliminate child labour and to ensure that child trafficking is curbed;
• More international and national resources should be mobilized for sharing the Romanian
experience and knowledge on child labour with other countries.
Child labour continues to evolve; its nature and scope change over time but it will continue to rob
children of their rights to education and a healthy childhood unless countries sustain their efforts to
address it. Policies and plans need to be regularly reviewed and updated, resources must be allocated
and stakeholders and potential actors need to be fully informed of the trends. Given the success of the
programmes and projects developed and implemented with the ILO’s technical assistance over the
past decade in Romania, the above challenges should not present any difficulty for the Government
of Romania and its national partners in years to come.
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33. ANNEXES
REFERENCES:
• The statement of Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Office on the occasion
of the ILO’s 90th anniversary
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/dgo/speeches/somavia/2009/90th.pdf
• The End of Child Labour: within reach- ILO-IPEC report, 2006
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/ilc/ilc95/pdf/rep-i-b.pdf
• ILO Convention 182- Worst Forms of Child Labour- 1999
http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/convde.pl?C182
• ILO’s Decent Work Agenda
http://www.ilo.org/global/Themes/Decentwork/lang—en/index.htm
• ILO Convention 138, Minimum Age Convention- 1973
http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/convde.pl?C138
• ILO Evaluation report: Country Programme 2000-2003
• Independent Evaluation report: Combating Trafficking in Children for Labour and Sexual
Exploitation in the Balkans & Ukraine (Trafficking Phase I - 2003-2007)
• Independent Final Evaluation report: Combating Child Labour in selected Stability Pact countries:
Capacity Building and Direct Action – Sub-regional Programme with Focus on the Worst Forms of
Child Labour (Worst Form of Child Labour, 2003-2008)
• IPEC Mid-term evaluation report: Trafficking and other Worst Forms of Child Labour in Central
and Eastern Europe (Trafficking Phase II, 2006-2009)
• The Government of Romania - http://www.gov.ro/main/index/l/2/
• The National Authority for the Protection Child Rights - http://www.copii.ro/
• SCREAM: Supporting Children’s Rights through Education, the Arts and the Media
http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/Scream/lang—en/index.htm
• Labour Inspection in Romania - www.inspectiamuncii.ro
• CORA Hypermarket Romania - www.cora.ro
• Save the Children Romania – www.salvaticopiii.ro
• Alternative Sociale Association - www.alternativesociale.ro
IPEC MATERIALS TRANSLATED INTO ROMANIAN
1) “Acþiuni împotriva muncii copiilor”, IPEC Romania 2000 (selections translated into Romanian from
“Actions against Child Labour“, Nelien Haspels and Michele Jankanish, ILO Geneva, 2000),
2) “Acþiuni sindicatele împotriva muncii copiilor. Modelul Turk-Is”, 2001 (translation into Romanian
of the “Trade Union Action Against Child Labour: The TURK-IS Model”)
3) “Munca copiilor – Pachet informativ pentru profesori, educatori ºi organizaþiile lor. Munca copiilor,
drepturile ºi educaþia lor”, 2002 (translation and adaptation of the “Child Labour – An Information
Kit for Teachers, Educators and Their Organizations”, ILO, IPEC, 1998).
4) “Ghid pentru implementarea Convenþiei OIM Nr. 182. Prevenirea ºi eliminarea celor mai grave
forme de munca a copilului”, 2002 (translation of the “Guide pratique á l’usage des parlementaires no
3 – 2002. Éradiquer les pires formes de travail des enfants. Guide pour la mise en oeuvre de la
Convention no 182 de l’OIT” Buireau International du travail, Union Interparlementaire, 2002)
5) “Bune practici: integrarea perspectivei de gen în cadrul acþiunilor de combatere a exploatãrii muncii
copiilor”, IPEC Romania, 2003 (translation into Romanian of the “Good practices: Gender
Mainstreaming in Actions Against Child Labour”, IPEC Geneva, 2003)
33
34. 6) “Manual specializat de instruire pentru consilierea psihosocialã a tinerilor victime ale traficului”,
2004 (translation into Romanian of the “Specialized training Manual on Psychosocial Counselling for
Trafficked Youth – handling the trauma of sexual exploitation”, IPEC, 2002).
7) “Sindicatele si munca copiilor”, 2004 (translation into Romanian of the “Trade Unions & Child
Labour” Children out of work and into school Adults into work. Developing National and International
Trade Unions Strategies to Combat Child Labour Project: INT/96/M06/NOR, Bureau for Workers’
Activities and International Labour Office).
8) “SCREAM. Opriþi munca copiilor. Apãrarea drepturilor copilului prin educaþie, artã ºi mass media”,
2005 (translation into Romanian of the “SCREAM – Stop Child Labour, Supporting Children’s Rights
through Education, the Arts and the Media” by the International Training Centre of the ILO, Turin in
collaboration with the Instituto Europeo di Design).
9) “Pachet de resurse de formare privind eliminarea exploatãrii copiilor prin muncii agricole
periculoase“ 2006 (translation of the Training resource pack on the elimination of hazardous child
labour in agriculture”, IPEC, 2005).
10) Ghid practic pentru raportarea privind munca copiilor, 2006 (translation into Romanian of the
“Practical Guide to Child Labour Reporting”, produced by the ILO, Geneva, and the International
Training Centre of the ILO, Turin, 2006)
11) Set de instrumente pentru inspectorii de muncã, 2007 (translation into Romanian of the ILO Tool
Kit for Labour Inspectors, 2007)
12) Reabilitarea psiho-socialã a copiilor retraºi din trafic ºi din alte forme grave de muncã - Material
elaborat pe baza experienþei ºi datelor furnizate de organizaþii din Europa Centralã ºi de Est, 2008
(translation into Romanian of the sub-regional manual “Psycho-Social Rehabilitation of children
withdrawn from trafficking and other WFCL”, IPEC, 2007)
13) Bune practici ºi lecþii învãþate, 2009 (selection and translation from the sub-regional manual “ Steps to
the Elimination of Child Labour in Central and Eastern Europe-Emerging Good Practices and Lessons
learned, IPEC, 2007)
RESEARCH AND STUDIES
1) Rapid Assessment of the situation of working street children in Bucharest, Save the Children Romania, 2002
2) Study on the Current Romanian Legislation Regarding Child Labour and Recommendations on the
Necessary Amendments for its Approximation with the International Regulations, Mircea Dutu, 2002
3) Baseline Survey on rural child labour in five selected counties in Romania, Ecaterina Stativa, Institute
for Mother and Child Care, 2002
4) Working Roma children and their families - socio-cultural characteristics and living conditions, Sorin
Cace, Foundation for Rehabilitation, Integration and Social Promotion – ECHOSOC, 2002
5) Baseline Surveys on Working Street Children – Bucharest, Iasi and Craiova, Save the Children
Romania, 2003
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35. 6) Rapid Assessment on the situation of trafficking in children for labour and sexual exploitation in Romania,
Save the Children Romania and the Research Institute for the Quality of Life, 2003
7) Gender issues related to working street children in Bucharest - A Rapid Assessment, Centre for Education and
Professional Development Step by Step and National School for Political and Administrative Studies, 2003
8) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Survey related to Working street children’s and their parents,
Save the Children, 2004
9) Child Labour in Romania - Discussion paper – Catalin Ghinararu, Ana Maria Zamfir, Cristina
Mocanu, 2004
10) Conditional Cash Transfers and Child Labour in Central and Eastern Europe, Cosmin Briciu, 2006
11) Qualitative Study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to worst forms of child labour,
including children trafficked from the Roman communities - Discussion paper - Sorin Cace, Daniel
Arpinte, Andreia Scoican, 2004
12) Baseline Survey on hazardous child labour in agriculture and other WFCL in Iasi County by Alternative
Sociale Association Iasi, 2007
13) Mapping of the Public and Private Services for Working Street Children in Six Sectors of Bucharest and
Constanta, Ilfov, and Iasi Counties, Cosmin Briciu, 2007
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
1) Policeman’s Intervention Guide for Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labour, ARIADNA –
Association of Journalist Women, 2001
2) Roma Children Education - Specific Elements and Prospects for Integration, Foundation for
Rehabilitation, Integration and Social Promotion – ECHOSOC, 2002
3) How Local Community Representatives Should Act for the Prevention and Progressive Elimination of
Child Labour in Roma Communities, Foundation for Rehabilitation, Integration and Social
Promotion – ECHOSOC, 2002
4) A Model of Preventing School Drop Out Caused by Premature Child Labour, Federation of
International Educational Communities (FICE) Romania, 2002
5) ILO Convention no. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, Save the Children Romania, 2003
6) School Education of Working Street Children – A Guide for Teachers, Social Workers and Parents, Save
the Children Romania, 2003
7) Monitoring Guide for the Situation of Working Street Children, Save the Children Romania, 2003
8) Proposals for Policies and Actions Regarding the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in the
Streets in Romania – Policy Paper, Save the Children Romania, 2003
9) Children About Working Street Children, Centre for Education and Professional Development Step by
Step and National School for Political and Administrative Studies, 2003
10) Preventing and combating child labour in Romania, IPEC Romania, UN System, 2005
11) Understanding children’ vulnerability to labour exploitation, Centre for Partnership and Equality, 2006
12) Independent life skills development and changing attitudes programmes for children at risk of child
labour, Centre for Partnership and Equality, 2006
13) Career development of children at risk of child labour, Centre for Partnership and Equality, 2006
14) Peer Education Program for the Prevention and Combat of Child Trafficking, Alternative Sociale
Association, 2007
15) Self Guide for Youth entering the world of work, Alternative Sociale Association, revised edition, 2007
16) Together against child labour, International Foundation for Child and Family, 2007
17) Practical Guide for Child Labour Monitoring, Resource and Information Centre for Social Professions, 2009
Annexes
35
36. DOCUMENTARY FILMS
§ Stories of Broken Dreams (Vise sfãrâmate) – 20 minutes IPEC documentary by Speed Promotion in
collaboration with Carter Films, 2005
§ Together against child labour (Împreunã împotriva exploatãrii copiilor prin muncã) - 20 minute IPEC film on
Child labour monitoring system development and good practices by Resource and Information Centre for
Social Professions in collaboration with Spott Consult, 2009
LIST OF IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES
• Alternative Sociale Association
Str. Nicolina 24, Bl. 949, ground floor, Iasi, Iasi County, Romania - www.alternativesociale.ro
• ARIADNA – The Romanian Women Journalists Association
Str. ªtirbei Voda 16, et. 5, ap. 21, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
•• Centre for Education and Professional Development Step by Step
Str. Ghe. Dem Teodorescu 16 bis, sector 3, Bucharest, Romania - www.stepbystep.ro
•• Center Partnership for Equality
B-dul Natiunile Unite 4, bl. 106, sc. A, et. 3, ap. 11, sector 5, Bucharest, Romania - www.cpe.ro
•• Confederation of Romanian Democratic Trade Unions
Str. Walter Maracineanu 1-3, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
•• Foundation for Rehabilitation, Integration and Social Promotion – ECHOSOC
Str. Elev Stefanescu, 15, bl. 452, sc. A, et. 7, ap. 93, sector 2, Bucharest, Romania –
www.catalactica.org.ro/echosoc
•• Federation of Food Industry Unions of Romania
Str. Walter Mãrãcineanu, 1-3, et. 1, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania - www.fsia.ro
•• International Foundation for Child and Family
Str. Occidentului 44, sector 1, 78111 – Bucharest, Romania - www.ficf-romania.ro
•• International Federation of Educational Communities Romania
Str. Banu Udrea 4, bl. G8, ap 16, sector 3, Bucharest, Romania - www.ficeromania.org
•• National Labour Research Institute of Romania
Str. Povernei 6-8, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania - www.incsmps.ro
•• National Society for Prevention of Child’s Abuse and Neglect
Str. Negruzzi 11, ap. 3, Timiºoara, Timiº County, Romania – www.sncan.ro
•• Parada Foundation
Str. Bucur, 23, sector 4, Bucharest, Romania - www.paradaromania.ro
•• Pro WOMEN Foundation
Aleea Copou 3, 700460 - Iaºi, Iaºi County, Romania - www.prowomen.ro
•• Resource and Information Centre for Social Professions
Complexul de Servicii Sociale “Sfanta Ecaterina”,
B-dul Maresal Al. Averescu 17, et. 2, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania - www.crips01.ro
•• Save the Children Romania
Intr. Stefan Furtuna 3, sector 1, 010899- Bucharest, Romania - www.salvaticopiii.ro
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