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Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention and Part V of the report form. Minimum age for admission to employment or work and application in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the indications of the ICFTU that child labour was common in informal craftwork, generally in small family workshops which produce carpets, ceramics, wooden objects and leather articles. It also indicated that between 5,000 and 10,000 children, mostly aged between 8 and 14 years, worked in the carpet industry and the textile industry.

In reply to the ICFTU’s communication, the Government indicated that the minimum age for admission to employment or work had been raised from 12 to 15 years and penal sanctions for infringements of the legislation had been strengthened. The Government added that, in collaboration with the social partners and NGOs, measures had been taken in the fields of public information and awareness raising. The Government further indicated that Morocco had been involved in the ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) since 2000 and had initiated several projects designed to withdraw children from hazardous types of work and provide alternatives for them following their removal from work, as well as improving the working conditions of young persons between 12 and 18 years of age. The Committee noted that, for the year 2002 and the first half of 2003, the projects had succeeded in removing 1,310 children from work, providing financial support for 150 families and improving the living and working conditions of 2,300 children. The Committee encouraged the Government to pursue its efforts to withdraw children from work and to improve their living and working conditions.

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indications that it has established, in collaboration with ILO/IPEC and UNICEF, a programme for the "Prevention and progressive elimination of child labour in the Fès craftwork sector" (2002-06). The objective of this programme is to remove working children under 12 years of age from the craftwork sector, improve the working conditions of children who are of the age to work and enable children between the ages of 12 and 15 years who are working in the craftwork sector to have access to non-formal education. The Government indicates that this programme will be extended to the cities of Marrakech, Safi and Meknès. The Committee notes that between 2000 and 2004 the programme led to: (i) 300 children being removed from work and enrolled in school; (ii) 200 craft workers being made aware of the rules applicable to the employment of children; and (iii) the families concerned being informed of the risks to which children are exposed at work.

The Committee requests the Government to redouble its efforts to combat child labour in the craftwork sector. It encourages it to pursue its efforts to combat child labour in other sectors of economic activity. It also requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress achieved in this respect.

Article 2, paragraph 3. Compulsory schooling. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the indications of the ICFTU that over the past decade the protection of children’s rights has been given increasing attention in Morocco. The proportion of children registered in school is reported to be 90 per cent for children in the 6 to 11 age group and 63 per cent for children in the 12 to 14 age group. The ICFTU nevertheless indicated that the school enrolment rate was lower in rural areas than in urban areas due to the lack of schools, the distance to schools and the poverty of the parents, who are often unable to pay school fees. In reply to the ICFTU’s comments, the Government indicated that important measures had been taken to provide general access to education, promote vocational training and combat illiteracy.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that one of the objectives of the programme "Prevention and progressive elimination of child labour in the Fès craftwork sector" (2002-06) is to enable children aged between 12 and 15 years to have access to non-formal education. The Committee notes that, according to UNICEF, the net school enrolment rate in primary school was 88 per cent between 1998 and 2003; over the same period, the net school attendance rate for primary school reached 67 per cent for boys and 50 per cent for girls. The gross school attendance rate in secondary education between 1998 and 2002 was 45 per cent for boys and 50 per cent for girls. The Committee considers that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour. It therefore requests the Government to redouble its efforts to increase the school attendance rate and facilitate the access of children to education so as to prevent them from becoming engaged in work. It requests the Government to keep it informed of any progress achieved in this respect.

Part III of the report form. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the ICFTU’s indications that labour inspections are not carried out in informal family workshops. However, the ICFTU noted that child labour regulations were generally respected in unionized industrial sectors. In reply to the ICFTU’s communication, the Government indicated that training workshops had been established to raise the awareness of labour inspectors concerning the rules applicable to child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the Chambers of Craftwork of Marrakech, Safi and Meknès will prepare local plans to combat child labour in the craftwork sector. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the reinforcement of inspections in family workshops is included in the objectives of these local plans. It requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice including, for example, indications of the number of inspections carried out each year, the number and nature of the infringements reported and the sanctions imposed, particularly in the craftwork sector.

The Committee is also raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.