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The Committee noted in the previous comment that the minimum age for employment was lowered to 15 years of age from the previous 16, by virtue of federal Act No. 182-FZ of 24 November 1995. It pointed out that the minimum age for admission to employment or work of 16 years had been specified at the time of ratification in accordance with Article 2(1) of the Convention, and that the lowering of the existing minimum age is contrary to the principle of the Convention, which is to raise progressively the minimum age as provided in Articles 1 and 2(2).

The Committee notes the indication in the Government's report that measures are being taken to change the minimum age for admission to employment or work to 16 years of age, namely by the new draft Labour Code of the Russian Federation, which has been submitted by the Ministry of Labour to the Government of the Russian Federation for examination. It requests the Government to indicate any progress made towards the amendment of the Code in this regard, and also measures taken, pending the amendment of law, to ensure that the engagement in employment or work of children under 16 years of age is limited to the exceptions provided for in the Convention.