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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report. It notes that children under the age of 18 years, even in non-industrial work, must comply with the provisions of section 100 of the Labour Code under which "every employee must undertake a compulsory medical examination before recruitment". The Committee notes that this information does not reply to the comments made in its previous observations. The Committee recalls that the Government emphasized that the independent activities of children and young persons are carried out in the informal sector which eludes the supervision of the labour inspectorate and that application of the Convention to this sector cannot be envisaged until some degree of control is exercised over the sector. The Committee also recalls that during the discussion that took place at the 82nd Session of the Conference (June 1995) the Government representative recognized the soundness of requesting an extension of the requirement of a medical examination for fitness for employment to all categories of young workers. He stated that the Government was aware of the necessity of this examination for children and young persons. Given that on a number of occasions the Government has expressed its intention of taking measures with a view to subjecting children and young persons working in the informal sector to the provisions of the Convention, the Committee reiterates its hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to this end and will communicate the results which will ensure application of this Convention to this category of children and young persons.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2004.]