Statistics on Working Children and Education Children Age Percent

In 2012, Timor-Leste made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The Government passed a new labor law that specifically prohibits forced labor and contains several provisions on light work, including an increase in the minimum age for light work from 12 to 13. The new law also provides protection for children working in family-owned businesses. The Child Labor Commission working group finalized a list of hazardous activities from which children would be prohibited and submitted it to the Council of Ministers for approval. However, Timor-Leste still lacks a mechanism to fully coordinate all Government efforts to combat child labor. Furthermore, the Government has not established any programs targeting the worst forms of child labor, which are needed especially for children in agriculture. Children continue to engage in the worst forms of child labor in Timor-Leste, particularly in dangerous activities in agriculture