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The Committee notes the comments of the Trade Union Association for Para-State Petrochemical Enterprises, which were attached to the Government's report.

Article 7 of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee referred to section 3 of Act No. 977 of 17 October 1967, which authorises the employment of children aged between 14 and 15 years in agriculture provided that such employment is compatible with the necessary standards for the protection of their health and does not interfere with their school attendance. According to information supplied by the Government, it was planned to extend compulsory schooling up to 16 years of age.

In its report, the Government states that the draft Legislative Decree respecting the reform of middle and higher education, which provides for the extension of compulsory schooling up to the age of 16 years, has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is under examination by the Senate. It also refers to the adoption of Act No. 216 of 19 July 1991 respecting preliminary measures for minors liable to be involved in criminal activities which, among the means set out for preventing such a contingency, emphasises the observance of compulsory schooling. The Government states that these measures should result in a decrease in the already low number of children under 16 years of age who work.

The Committee takes due note of this information. It points out that the exception provided for in Article 7 of the Convention is intended to cover light work which is not likely to be harmful to the health or prejudice the school attendance of the persons concerned. It once again hopes that the Government will be in a position to supply information on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that in agriculture the employment or work of children below the minimum age is permitted only for light work, as is presently the case in non-industrial branches of activity under section 4 of Act No. 977. While awaiting this information, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on the number of children employed in agriculture under section 3 of Act No. 977.

Point V of the report form. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the number of contraventions reported. It also notes that a survey is being carried out covering all labour inspectors in order to collect additional data on contraventions against the child labour legislation. The Committee requests the Government to supply the results of this survey and to continue supplying detailed information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, and in particular, statistics on the number of contraventions reported and followed up.