Multi-sector alliance to eliminate worst forms of child labor in the agriculture sector

Following the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011 and as a result of ongoing displacement, Syrian refugees and affected vulnerable host communities have faced new challenges related to the increasingly dire economic conditions and the ongoing deterioration of living conditions. Research shows that refugees push their children into the labour market, where they can face exploitative conditions, as a coping mechanism to help in making a living for their families where adult refugees’ work is prohibited by the law.

In Jordan, the National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) confirmed that agriculture is prominent among the sectors in which children are exploited, with 28% of the working children engaged in agriculture, forestry or fishing. Work in this sector is especially widespread among the youngest children with more than half of the surveyed working children aged 5 to 11 years. The Jordanian Labour law prohibits employing children below the age of sixteen years under any circumstances. It is prohibited by the law to employ a child for more than six hours/ day, with a minimum of a one-hour rest granted after four successive hours of work, and it is also prohibited by law to employ the child between 8pm and 6am and during religious, official and weekly holidays.

Plan International, in partnership with local entity “Women for Cultural Development / Namaa” in Jordan, is implementing a 3-year project funded by the European Union’s European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights from January 1st 2019 until December 31st 2021. The project’s overall aim is to contribute to Jordan’s efforts in fulfilling the requirements of Article 32 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child through combating WFCL in the agricultural sector in the Jordan valley (Al-Jofeh and Al-Karamah). These areas were selected due to the high rates of prevalence of WFCL, both in the refugee population and the vulnerable host communities, in addition to the low local institutional capacity to address child protection and child labour, and lack of actors working directly at eliminating WFCL in this area.

Therefore, in order to effectively address the root causes of child labour, the project is delivering holistic and comprehensive solutions designed to:

• Improve the economic situation of families by advocating for the creation of employment opportunities.
• Support the education sector by providing additional supplies and programmes to foster child and teacher engagement, and to incentivize school attendance over work.
• Provide resources for community engagement and organizing to empower children and their families and widen the circle of inclusion and engagement beyond employers [of child labourers] and officials.
• Promote awareness of the risks associated with child labour, as well as the benefits and necessities of education in improving one’s socioeconomic status.
• Empower children on their rights, wellbeing, and education through a holistic programmatic approach.

Overall objective: To contribute to the efforts of Jordan and Lebanon in respecting article 32 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child

1.       750 Vulnerable targeted boys and girls ( (375 girls, 375 boys- 600 Jordanians,150 Non-Jordanians) have decreased vulnerability to worst forms of child labour in the agricultural sector after receiving age appropriate and gender sensitive child protection, non/in formal education and livelihood opportunities.

2.       375 targeted caregivers (263 women, 112 men- 300 Jordanians, 75 Non-Jordanians) are willing and enabled to protect their children from WFCL after participating in Positive Parenting Programme and/or accessing livelihood alternatives.

3.       114 Local Development Committees (LDC), Child Protection Committees, Schools counsellors and communities are better enabled to prevent and respond to worst forms of child labour.

4.       The implementation of the National Action Plans (NAPs) against the worst forms of child labour of Jordan are supported to respond to this issue.

1.1: Structured Play and Psychosocial Support (PSS) methodologies are delivered to vulnerable boys and girls aged 6-9 and 10-17.

1.2: Plan’s Holistic Focused Psychosocial (FPSS) Life Skills Package is delivered to vulnerable boys and girls aged 10-17.

1.3: Boys and girls have access to quality child protection case management services and referrals to multi-sectoral support that meet their needs

1.4: Non-formal or Informal Education Curriculum is delivered to vulnerable children, and eligible children are referred to formal education.

1.5 Vulnerable Adolescents (16-17) are referred to or provided with relevant and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

2.1: Caregivers are referred to or provided with alternative relevant and sustainable livelihoods.

2.2: Caregivers are provided with guidance on child protection risks, including child labour, through Plan’s Child Labour Positive Parenting Programme.

3.1: Local development committee (LDC) trained on Plan’s Child Labour Prevention and Response Modules

3.2: Community-based child protection related initiatives on child labour in agriculture are carried out by child protection committees

3.3: School counsellors are trained to monitor and refer child labour cases and support at-risk children

4.1: Key government stakeholders at the sub-regional and local levels involved in the implementation of the Child Labour NAP are trained on Plan's Child Labour Prevention and Response Modules.

4.2: Advocacy and technical support provided through participation in the National Committee on Child Labour (NCCL)

4.3: Lessons and Evidence study on Forced Child Labour (within the context of the Syria crisis) is developed for the Action’s Inter-Agency Regional Workshop.

750 children (375 girls, 375 boys), 375 adults (263 women,112 men)