CMNT_TITLE

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Mauritania (RATIFICATION: 2001)

Other comments on C138

Observation

Direct Request

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The Committee takes note of the communication from the General Confederation of Workers of Mauritania (CGTM) dated 22 August 2011, and of the Government’s report.

Article 5 of the Convention. Limitation of the scope of the Convention to certain branches of economic activity. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, at the time of ratification of the Convention, Mauritania declared that it was initially limiting the scope of the Convention to the branches of economic activity and types of enterprise covered by Article 5(3) of the Convention, namely: mining and quarrying; manufacturing; construction and public works; electricity, gas and water; sanitary services; transport, storage and communication; and plantations and other agricultural undertakings mainly producing for commercial purposes, but excluding family and small-scale holdings producing for local consumption and not regularly employing hired workers. The Committee reminded the Government that, under the terms of Article 5(4)(a) of the Convention, any government which has limited the scope of application of the Convention in pursuance of that Article shall indicate in subsequent reports the general position as regards the employment or work of young persons and children in the branches of activity which are excluded from the scope of the present Convention, and any progress which may have been made towards the wider application of the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee notes the Government’s indications that, in the branches of activity excluded from the scope of the Convention, child labour is almost non existent, apart from in the informal sector.

However, the Committee notes the CGTM’s allegations that children are used in family-run agricultural holdings where they are exposed to pesticides and heavy working conditions despite their age. The Committee therefore urges the Government to indicate the general situation as regards the employment or work of young persons and children in the branches of activity which are excluded from the scope of application of the Convention, in accordance with Article 5(4)(a), and more particularly in family-run agricultural holdings.