Legal Aspects of Forced Child Labour: The Case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the first systematic study of forced child labour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to be made available to a wider audience. Despite enhanced efforts to combat the scourge of child labour, it remains a critical human rights issue globally and especially in the developing world. This book sheds light on these abuses and critically analyses the relevant law and protection of children in the DRC, the second largest country in Africa.

Forced child labour is both a labour law violation and an infringement of the child’s fundamental rights. It occurs in different ways in the DRC, including through trafficking for sexual exploitation, debt bondage  and serfdom, support services for armed groups, prostitution and pornography mining and quarrying, work by street children, and begging.  

As a member State of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the DRC is obliged to adopt policies to protect children against forced labour. The country has ratified the core international labour standards, as well as regional and international treaties, which prohibit forced labour. Laws have been enacted to protect children. Steps have been taken to make child work unnecessary economically, including through compulsory schooling, and institutions have been established to ensure respect for children’s rights

However, the key question remains whether the DRC adequately implements these legal and socio-economic measures. The reality on the ground shows challenges in the application the relevant labour standards, treaties, laws and regulations. In fact, many children are subjected to forced or compulsory labour, including for use in armed conflicts. 

Legal Aspects of Forced Child Labour: The Case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo offers recommendations for alleviating the increasingly serious problem of forced child labour. This book will be a valuable resource for both state and non-state actors such as policymakers, practitioners, advocates, parents, and concerned citizens.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: General Overview and Legal Framework for Forced Child Labour 
• Chapter 3: Forced Child Labour in The DRC
• Chapter 4: Strategies to Combat Child Labour in the DRC
• Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations