CMNT_TITLE

1. The Committee notes the Government's report received in June 2002, which contains certain indications relating to the comments made since its session in November-December 1996. The Committee notes that the new Labour Code entered into force in October 2002.

2. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes that, with the support of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the Government has adopted measures to stabilize the macroeconomic situation and create a climate conducive to the development of the private sector. Access to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in July 2002 allowed the country to benefit from the relief of its external financial debt. A Government Economic Programme (PEG), also concluded with the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was established for the period April 2002 to June 2005. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide information on the manner in which the provisions of the Convention calling for "all policies" to be "primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population" have been taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the measures adopted in the framework of its economic programmes and its poverty reduction strategy.

3. Part IV. Remuneration of workers. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the provisions respecting wages contained in sections 86-118 of the new Labour Code, and more specifically those in Chapter V respecting advances and amounts withheld from wages (Article 12). The Committee proposes to examine issues relating to remuneration in the context of its regular examination of reports on the application of the Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95), ratified by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

4. Part VI. Education and training. The Government indicated in its report received in 2002 that the age of completion of compulsory schooling could be raised to 15 years. Section 6 of the Labour Code also establishes the age for admission to employment at 15 years. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship and for the preparation of children and young persons of both sexes for a useful occupation. Please also indicate the measures adopted to prohibit the employment of children who have not reached the age of 15 years. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to refer to the results achieved through the national education plan "Education for All by 2015" to ensure that children are able to profit from facilities for education (Articles 15 and 16).

5. Other issues relating to child labour are raised by the Committee in its comments concerning the application of the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).