2002 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Pitcairn Islands (territory of the United Kingdom)

There is limited information regarding the extent and nature of child labor and the quality and provision of education in non-independent countries and territories eligible for GSP, AGOA and CBTPA benefits. These areas generally are not eligible to become members of the ILO, and ILO Convention 138 and ILO Convention 182 do not apply to any of them.³⁹³⁷

In 2002, the Government of Pitcairn Islands reported that there were no working children in the territory.³⁹⁸⁴ Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from engaging in paid government work.³⁹⁸⁵ Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 5 and 15.³⁹⁸⁶ The net primary school enrollment rate in 2002 was 100 percent.³⁹⁸⁷ While enrollment rates indicate a level of commitment to education, they do not always reflect children's participation in school.³⁹⁸⁸ Under Section 23, Part V of the Summary Offences Ordinance, a parent or guardian who does not ensure the regular attendance of their child at school can be fined up to NZD 25 (USD 12.86).³⁹⁸⁹

3937 ILO official, electronic communication to USDOL official, January 31, 2002. Also Julie Misner, USDOL Office of International Organizations, electronic communication to USDOL official, September 3, 2002. Most of the areas covered in this summary report are considered by the ILO to be non-metropolitan territories and therefore, are ineligible to become members of the ILO. An ILO member can submit a declaration to the ILO requesting that these conventions apply to their non-metropolitan territories. See ILO, Constitution, Chapter 1, Article 1 and Chapter III, Article 35 [cited November 12, 2002]; available from http://www.ilo.org/public/english/about/iloconst.htm.

3984 Leon Salt, Commissioner, Pitcairn Islands, electronic communication to USDOL official, August 25, 2002.

3985 Leon Salt, Commissioner, Pitcairn Islands, electronic communication to USDOL official, November 7, 2000.

3986 Ibid.

3987 Ibid.

3988 For a more detailed discussion on the relationship between education statistics and work, see the preface to this report.

3989 Salt, electronic communication, August 25, 2002. For currency conversion see FX Converter, [online] [cited December 19, 2002]; available from http://carosta.de/frames/convert.htm.