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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

Article 7 of the Convention.  The Committee notes that section R 234-6 of the Labour Code prescribes limits for lifting and transporting of loads by young workers under the age of 18 and by women assigned to manual transport, in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, in regard to the restriction of loads for young workers, on the basis of their age. The Committee notes, however, that by virtue of section R 234-6 of the Labour Code, young persons under 16 years old may be required to carry, drag or push loads, varying from 8 to 20 kg according to their age and sex. In this context, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to Paragraphs 21 and 22 of Recommendation No. 128. This provision suggests that, on the one hand, where the minimum age for assignment to manual transport of loads is less than 16 years, as is possible under French legislation, section R 234-6 of the Labour Code, measures should be taken as speedily as possible to raise it to 16 years and that, on the other hand, the minimum age for assignment to regular manual transport of loads should be raised, with a view to attaining a minimum age of 18 years.

The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged so that children under 16 years old will not be assigned to such work which is likely to compromise their health.

The Committee notes, in addition, that section R 234-6 of the Labour Code sets at 25 kg the maximum load which may be lifted and transported by women aged 18 years and above. In this context, the Committee refers to the ILO publication Maximum weights in load lifting and carrying (Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 59, Geneva, 1988), indicating 15 kg as the limit, recommended from an ergonomic point of view, admissible for occasional lifting and carrying for a woman aged over 15 years; yet section R 234-6 indicates a limit of 25 kg for women aged 18 years and over.

The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged with a view to restricting the assignment of women to transport of light loads not exceeding, as far as possible, 15 kg. The Committee requests the Government to report on any progress made.