Sector/Industry Activity

In 2014, Timor-Leste made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The Government passed a resolution to formally establish the National Commission against Child Labor (NCCL/CNTI) that will coordinate the Government’s efforts to combat child labor, including its worst forms. In addition, the General Labor Inspectorate Directorate created a new department to deal specifically with child labor issues and hired two additional inspectors. Government officials responsible for the enforcement of child labor laws, including labor inspectors and police officers, participated in numerous trainings on child labor investigation and victim identification procedures. However, children in Timor-Leste are engaged in child labor, including in agriculture. Although the NCCL/CNTI approved a list of hazardous occupations and activities prohibited for children, the list has not yet been legally adopted, leaving children vulnerable to engagement in hazardous work. I. PREVALENCE AND SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD LABOR Children in Timor-Leste are engaged in child labor, including in agriculture.(1-3) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Timor-Leste