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Madagascar
Child Rights and Business guidance for Chinese Companies Operating in Madagascar
- Available in:
- 中文
- English
Proposed indicators
Decent work for parents and young workers
Relevant to companies in the extractives, agriculture and construction sectors
Child labour
- Minimum age: Minimum age of employment is 15; in some circumstances, children may be permitted to work at 14 where compulsory schooling has been completed and with authorisation of a labour inspector.
- Hazardous work: Children under 18 years are protected from hazardous work.
- Light work: There is no provision for light work for children above the minimum age of employment.
Relevant to companies in all industries
Maternity and paternity protections
- Parental leave: Women are entitled to 14 weeks (3 months) of paid maternity leave. Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid family leave.
- Pay and benefits: Parental leave is paid at 100% of wages for workers covered by the Labour Law.
- Job protection: Women have the right to return to the same or similar position on the same terms and conditions after returning from maternity leave.
Decent work for parents and young workers:
- Health and safety: Pregnant workers should be subject to special health and safety monitoring, including periodic medical examinations.
- Working hours: The standard work week is 48 hours, over a maximum of 6 days.
- Breastfeeding: Mothers of infants are guaranteed at least 6 months of paid breastfeeding breaks.
Marketplace
Relevant to companies in the ICT sector
Child online safety
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM): National laws prohibit CSAM. Internet service providers (ISPs) are not specifically required to report instances of suspected child pornography offences to authorities; however, national laws require anyone with knowledge of any forms of violence and exploitation of children, to report to the authorities.
- Access to pornography: National laws do not restrict access to pornography on the internet, nor do they require ISPs to restrict access to children or adults.
- Grooming: It is unclear whether national cybercrime legislation prohibits adults from communicating with children in a sexual manner using technology.
Community and Environment
Relevant to companies in the extractives, agriculture and construction sectors
Environment
- Impact assessment: National laws require businesses to carry out social and environmental impact assessments, although the implementation is not always effective, and children’s rights issues are not always considered.
- Climate change: Madagascar has submitted an INDC (intended nationally determined contribution) to the UNFCC committing to a 14% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Land rights
- Land tenure: Changes to the land reform process introduced in 2005 allow communities to secure land titles, but some uncertainty remains regarding areas used for grazing.
- Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC): It is unclear whether national laws recognise indigenous land tenure or the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) for projects that may affect them or their lands.
Child rights
- Education: Primary education is compulsory, and both primary and secondary education are tuition- free; however, poor infrastructure means that communities in remote areas are most likely to lack access.
- Healthcare: The Constitution recognises the right to health, and citizens can access healthcare free of charge; however, poor infrastructure means that communities in remote areas are most likely to lack access.