2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Montenegro

* In practice, must pay for various school expenses

** Succession

Incidence and Nature of Child Labor

Children in Montenegro can be found working on family farms. Roma children also work in the informal sector, selling small items or washing car windows; they also are often found begging to assist their families. Montenegro is primarily a transit country for girls trafficked to Western Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Child Labor Laws and Enforcement

The minimum age for employment is 15 years. Children under 18 years are not permitted to work in jobs that involve particularly difficult physical or dangerous work, overtime and night work, underground work, or underwater work. The law provides for monetary penalties for violation of these provisions.

Forced labor is prohibited. Trafficking in persons is prohibited, and the trafficking of a minor is punishable by 3 to 10 years of imprisonment. Procuring a minor for prostitution is punishable by 3 months to 5 years of imprisonment, while inciting a minor into prostitution is punishable by 1 to 10 years of imprisonment. Using children in the production of pornography is punishable by 6 months to 5 years of imprisonment. The minimum age to volunteer for the Montenegrin military is 18 years.

The Labor Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare is responsible for the enforcement of labor laws, including those protecting children from exploitation in the workplace. The Ministry has 40 inspectors handling labor issues and conducted more than 10,000 labor investigations in 2008; none of these investigations uncovered any child labor infractions. During the reporting period, Montenegrin police arrested several adults for involvement in organizing child begging rings near Podgorica and coastal towns. The Government's enforcement efforts were generally effective, according to USDOS.

Current Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor

In 2008, the Government initiated two human trafficking investigations and prosecuted seven individuals on trafficking charges. Convictions and punishments from these cases are unknown. Police of all ranks were provided anti-trafficking training by the Government but often lacked training in victim identification.

In December 2008 and January 2009, the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator hosted six anti-trafficking workshops to improve communication between organizations that deal with trafficking issues. The Government of Montenegro continues to fund a shelter for trafficking victims.