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Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee had previously noted that the Child Labour Act which prohibits the employment of children below 14 years as labourers (section 3(1)), does not define the terms “employment” and “labourer”. It had noted the Government’s indication that the Act does not adequately cover the informal sector. The Committee had also noted that the Government had been carrying out discussions with the social partners for the improvement of this Act, in particular to apply the minimum-age provisions to the informal sector and that a study was commissioned by the ILO–IPEC Time-bound Programme (TBP) to identify the gaps in the Act and make it compatible with the Convention. The Committee had further noted the Government’s information that the Labour and Employment Policy of 2005 which spells out the policy of eliminating child labour would adopt the practice of classifying the general, hazardous and worst forms of child labour both in the formal and informal sectors and eliminate them. Noting the Government’s statement that the majority of children were employed in the informal sector, the Committee had requested the Government to continue its efforts to enforce the minimum age provisions in the informal sector.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that though the labour inspections show a negligible incidence of child labour in the formal sector, it is more likely to be prevalent in the informal sector. It also notes the Government’s information that it is very difficult to enforce the provisions of this Convention in the informal sector due to limited infrastructure and financial resources. To address this problem, the Government has split the Labour and Employment Promotion Department into the Foreign Employment Department and the Labour Department. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Labour Department which deals only with domestic labour issues has organized five workshops to strengthen the capacity of labour officers and factory inspectors to take up the issues of child labour seriously. In view of the information referred to above concerning the situation of children working in the informal economy, the Committee expresses the firm hope that measures will be adopted very soon under the Labour and Employment Policy of 2005 with a view to abolishing child labour both in the formal and the informal sectors. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government, in the context of adopting measures to strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, to envisage the possibility of adapting their functions so that they can secure the protection set out in the Convention for the children working in the informal sector. It requests the Government to provide information on this subject. The Committee finally requests the Government to provide information on any progress made following its discussions with the social partners for the improvement of the Child Labour Act, in particular the application of the minimum age provisions in the informal sector.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work and determination of types of hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted that section 3(2) of the Child Labour Act, in conjunction with section 2(a) of the same Act, prohibits the employment of persons under 16 years of age in any risky job or enterprise listed in the schedule, and that section 43(2) of the Labour Rules, 1993, also prohibits the employment of such persons on dangerous machines and in operations which are hazardous to their health. It had also noted the Government’s statement that consultations are ongoing with employers’ and workers’ organizations to identify specific tasks or jobs that are truly hazardous to young persons and that once these had been identified, it would be easier and practical to raise the age to 18 years. The Committee further noted the Government’s information that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000, which entered into force in 2004 enlists different jobs, occupations and work environments that are hazardous and therefore prohibited to children below 16 years. The Committee accordingly had observed that by virtue of the provisions of relatively new legislation (Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000), the minimum age for admission to hazardous work is 16 years.

Noting the Government’s reference to the Labour Act of 1992 and Labour Rules of 1993, the Committee observes that even under the above Acts, no higher minimum age has been fixed for work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young people, other than night work. The Committee therefore once again reminds the Government that Article 3(1) of the Convention provides that the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work, which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. Therefore, the Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that no person under 18 years of age is authorized to perform types of hazardous work in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to include in the national legislation provisions determining the types of hazardous work to be prohibited to persons below 18 years of age in accordance with Article 3(2) of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 3. Admission to types of hazardous work from the age of 16 years. In its previous comments, the Committee had reminded the Government that Article 3(3) of the Convention authorizes, under strict conditions respecting protection and prior training, the employment or work of young persons between the ages of 16 and 18 years. It also recalls that this provision of the Convention constitutes a limited exception to the general rule of the prohibition on young persons under 18 years of age from performing hazardous types of work, and does not constitute an overall authorization to undertake hazardous work from the age of 16 years. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the performance of hazardous types of work by young persons between 16 and 18 years of age is only authorized in conformity with the provisions of Article 3(3) of the Convention.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee had previously noted that section 6 of the Child Labour Act stipulates that “an educational institution or any other lawfully established institution for the protection of the rights and interests of children, unlike any other establishment, does not require to obtain approval from the labour office for engaging children in activities or cultural programmes organized in the larger interests of children”. It had noted the Government’s information that such performances are of a short duration and are carried out by agencies which are sensitive to the rights of children. It further noted the Government’s indication that so far, no effort has been made to issue permits on a case-by-case basis and to regulate working hours and conditions, but that this would be discussed with workers’ and employers’ organizations in future. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on this point. The Committee therefore once again recalls that Article 8 of the Convention allows exceptions to the specified minimum age of admission to employment or work for such purposes as participation in artistic performances only by permits granted by the competent authority in individual cases. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that children under 14 years of age who participate in artistic performances have the protection laid down by this provision of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information that, as a result of the programmes implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City related to child domestic workers, during the years 2007 to 2009, 694 child domestic workers were provided with informal education, 1,237 child domestic workers were admitted to schools, and 100 child domestic workers were provided with vocational skill development training. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management implemented five programmes on skill development and awareness raising focused on guardians of children who were employed from which 250 guardians benefitted.

The Committee further notes the Government’s information that within the framework of the ILO–IPEC project entitled “Sustainable Elimination of Child (Bonded) Labour in Nepal, Phase II”, 5,554 children (2,887 girls and 2,667 boys) were prevented from bonded labour and provided educational support, 1,232 children (798 girls and 434 boys) were withdrawn from bonded labour and provided informal education, together with income generating support to these families up to May 2009. The Committee also notes that according to the data collected by the Central Children Welfare Committee (CCWC) under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, a total of 22,981 cases of worst forms of child labour were registered from 59 districts. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including, for example, statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts from the reports of inspection services and information on the number and nature of violations detected and penalties applied involving children and young persons.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report. It requests the Government to supply information on the following points.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee had previously noted that the Child Labour Act which prohibits the employment of children below 14 years as labourers (section 3(1)), does not define the terms “employment” and “labourer”. It had noted the Government’s indication that the Act does not adequately cover the informal sector. The Committee had also noted that the Government has been carrying out discussions with the social partners for the improvement of this Act, in particular to apply the minimum-age provisions to the informal sector and that a study was commissioned by the ILO/IPEC Time-bound Programme (TBP) to identify the gaps in the Act and make it compatible with the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Labour and Employment Policy 2005 spells out the policy of eliminating child labour by developing alternatives in accordance with the national and international commitments articulated by the Government of Nepal, the private sector, donor community, and employers’ and workers’ organizations. It further notes that this policy will adopt the practice of classifying the general, hazardous and worst forms of child labour both in the formal and informal sectors and eliminate them. Noting the Government’s statement that the majority of children are employed in the informal sector, the Committee requests the Government to continue its efforts to enforce the minimum age provisions in the informal sector. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed on the progress achieved in this respect.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work and determination of types of hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted that section 3(2) of the Child Labour Act, in conjunction with section 2(a) of the same Act, prohibits the employment of persons under 16 years of age in any risky job or enterprise listed in the schedule, and that section 134(2) of the Labour Rules, 1993, also prohibits the employment of such persons on dangerous machines and in operations which are hazardous to their health. It had also noted the Government’s information that consultations are ongoing with employers’ and workers’ organizations to identify specific tasks or jobs that are truly hazardous to young persons and that once these had been identified, it would be easier and practical to raise the age to 18 years. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000, which entered into force in 2004 enlists different jobs, occupations and work environments that are hazardous and therefore prohibited to children below 16 years. The Committee accordingly observes that by virtue of the provisions of relatively new legislation (Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000), the minimum age for admission to hazardous work is 16 years. The Committee would nevertheless once again remind the Government that Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention provides that the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work, which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. Therefore, the Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that no person under 18 years of age is authorized to perform types of hazardous work in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to take the necessary measures to include in the national legislation provisions determining the types of hazardous work to be prohibited to persons below 18 years of age in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 3. Admission to types of hazardous work from the age of 16 years. The Committee reminds the Government that Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention authorizes, under strict conditions respecting protection and prior training, the employment or work of young persons between the ages of 16 and 18 years. It also recalls that this provision of the Convention constitutes a limited exception to the general rule of the prohibition on young persons under 18 years of age from performing hazardous types of work, and does not constitute an overall authorization to undertake hazardous work from the age of 16 years. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the performance of hazardous types of work by young persons between 16 and 18 years of age is only authorized in conformity with the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee had previously noted that section 6 of the Child Labour Act stipulates that “an educational institution or any other lawfully established institution for the protection of the rights and interests of children, unlike any other establishment, does not require to obtain approval from the labour office for engaging children in activities or cultural programmes organized in the larger interests of children”. It had noted the Government’s information that such performances are of a short duration and are carried out by agencies which are sensitive to the rights of children. It further noted the Government’s indication that so far, no effort has been made to issue permits on a case-by-case basis and to regulate working hours and conditions, but that this would be discussed with workers’ and employers’ organizations in future. Recalling that Article 8 of the Convention allows exceptions to the specified minimum age of admission to employment or work for such purposes as participation in artistic performances only by permits granted by the competent authority in individual cases, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that children under 14 years of age who participate in artistic performances have the protection laid down by this provision of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the report of the periodic inspections by labour inspectors show negligible incidences of child labour. According to the consolidated factory inspection reports of 2006, the figure of the child labour incidence stood at 0.37 per cent. It also notes that these inspections were conducted in the organized sector, whereas the majority of children are employed in the informal sector. The Committee notes the Government’s information that it is very difficult to enforce the provisions of the Convention in the informal sector due to the limited institutional infrastructure and financial resources. In order to address this problem, the Government is conducting workshops to strengthen the capacity of labour officers and factory inspectors to take up the issue of child labour seriously.

The Committee further notes that the ILO/IPEC TBP which was launched in 2002 has been successful in addressing the situation of child domestic workers, trafficking in children, child porters and carpet weavers. According to the ILO/IPEC Progress Report 2006 on the TBP in Nepal, a total of 8,884 children were withdrawn from the child domestic sector achieving 96 per cent success in this sector, 1,090 children from the carpet industry, and 2,310 children from the child porter sector. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MOLTM) has reached an agreement with the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation, according to which the latter will enrol all the home-based child workers in schools while the former would provide the financial assistance. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve the situation of child labour in the informal sector. It also requests the Government to provide statistical data based on the results of the time-bound programme and on the number of home-based child workers enrolled in schools by the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation as per its agreement with the MOLTM. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts of inspection reports as well as the number and nature of contraventions reported and penalties imposed.

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The Committee takes due note of the Government’s information that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act entered into force in November 2004. It requests the Government to provide information on the following points.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee had previously noted that section 3(1) of the Child Labour Act provides that no one shall employ as labourers children who have not completed 14 years of age. It had also noted that the Act does not define the notion of "employment", nor that of "labourer". Recalling that the Convention applies to all types of work or employment, the Committee had requested the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of the minimum age specified by the Government (14 years) to all types of work outside an employment relationship, such as self-employment. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Act does not adequately cover the informal sector. It also notes that the Government has been carrying out discussions with the social partners for the improvement of the Act. Thus, a study was commissioned by the ILO/IPEC time-bound programme (TBP) supported action programme to identify the gaps in the Act to make it compatible with the Convention. In particular, the notions of "employment" and "labourer" will be defined. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that it will remain effortful to apply the minimum age provisions to the informal sector as well. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed on the progress achieved in this respect.

Article 3. Hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted that section 3(2) of the Child Labour Act, in conjunction with section 2(a) of the same Act, prohibits the employment of persons under 16 years of age in any risky job or enterprise listed in the schedule, and that section 43(2) of the Labour Rules, 1993, also prohibits the employment of such persons in dangerous machines and in operations which are hazardous to health. Recalling that, in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention, derogations from the age of admission to hazardous work may only be authorized as from 16 years after consultations with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, on condition that the young persons concerned have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training, the Committee had requested the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken to give effect to Article 3 in this respect. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the jobs and occupations listed in the schedule to the Act are not considered as hazardous and that consultations are ongoing with employers’ and workers’ organizations to identify specific tasks or jobs that are truly hazardous to young persons. The Government states that once the hazardous types of work are identified it would be easier and practical to raise the age up to 18 years. The Committee once again reminds the Government that Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention provides that the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall be not less than 18 years. The types of hazardous employment or work, pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention, shall be determined by national laws or regulations or by the competent authority, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take the necessary measures and to provide information on progress made in this regard.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee had previously noted that section 6 of the Child Labour Act stipulates that "an educational institution or any other lawfully established institution for the protection of the rights and interests of children, unlike any other establishment, does not require to obtain approval from the labour office for engaging children in activities or cultural programmes organized in the larger interests of children". The Committee had noted that, pursuant to Article 8 of the Convention, approval for children to take part in artistic activities should be granted in individual cases, and that permits so granted shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work is allowed. It had requested the Government to provide information on the specific nature of the activities and cultural programmes mentioned in section 6 of the Child Labour Act. The Committee notes the Government’s information that such performances are of short duration and are carried out in a way and by the agencies which are sensitive to the rights of the children. It also notes the Government’s indication that so far, there has not been any effort made to issue permits on a case-by-case basis and to regulate the hours and conditions. This will be discussed with workers’ and employers’ organizations in future. Recalling that Article 8 of the Convention allows exceptions from the specified minimum age of admission to employment or work for such purposes as participation in artistic performances only by permits granted by the competent authority in individual cases, the Committee trusts that the Government will take the necessary measures to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention on this point.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee had previously noted with interest the information contained in the Government’s report according to which the country is committed to eliminate child labour. The Committee had also noted that a time-bound programme (TBP) was launched in June 2002 with the assistance of ILO/IPEC and covers children working in areas including bonded labour, mining, carpet manufacturing and domestic work. The Committee had requested the Government to provide, if available, statistical data on the employment of children, figures on complaints filed with the Labour Office, details on violations reported, as well as enforcement actions taken.

The Committee notes that, according to the ILO/IPEC progress reports on the implementation of the TBP of July and December 2004, the initial objectives of the TBP were modified to achieve less ambitious and shorter-term objectives due to the political and economic crisis that has paralysed the country. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that a strong association is found between the incidence of poverty and child labour. According to the Labour Force Survey 1998/99, about 2 million children (41 per cent) in the age group 5-14 were involved in work in Nepal. According to the National Living Standard Survey 2003-04 carried out by the Central Bureau of Statistics, the incidence of child labour is about 31 per cent. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that after the ratification of the Convention the incidence of child labour has decreased significantly in the formal sector. In spite of the limited capacity of labour inspectors in terms of human, physical and financial resources, they are working to implement the provisions of the Convention and are carrying out regular inspections of establishments. Several efforts are being made at tripartite levels. However, the use of child labour continues in the informal sector, where more than 95 per cent of the workers are engaged. The Committee further notes that reports or complaints on child labour are rare, because the violations occur mostly in the informal sector. It notes the Government’s indication that consultations are in progress among social partners and other stakeholders to devise an effective monitoring system in the informal sector. Noting that the Government faces a serious political and economic crisis, the Committee nevertheless remains deeply concerned at the number of children under the age of 14 who are working in the informal sector. It strongly encourages the Government to renew its efforts to progressively improve the situation and to provide detailed information on measures taken in this regard.

The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts from the reports of inspection services as well as the number and nature of the contraventions reported and penalties imposed.

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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports. The Committee also notes with interest that Nepal ratified the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), on 3 January 2002. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report, according to which the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000, is not yet in force. The Government indicates that the Act is in a consultation process with various agencies for implementation, because there are certain provisions which have attracted the attention of activists, development workers, employers and the Government who would like to see these provisions revised. The Government indicates in its report that during the process of consultation all the issues raised by the Committee of Experts in its previous direct request would be given high consideration and modifications would be made wherever applicable. The Committee would draw the Government’s attention to the following comments in respect of the Child Labour Act.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that section 3(1) of the Child Labour Act of 2000 provides that no one shall employ as labourers children who have not completed 14 years of age. The same Act does not define the notion of "employment", nor that of "labourer". The Committee recalls that the Convention applies not only to work performed by children and young persons under an employment contract, but to all types of work or employment. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate in its next report any measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of the minimum age specified (14 years) to all types of work outside an employment relationship, such as self-employment.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 3. The Committee notes that section 3(2) of the Child Labour Act of 2000, in conjunction with section 2(a) of the same Act, prohibits the employment of persons under 16 years of age in any hazardous work or enterprises listed in the schedule, and that section 43(2) of the Labour Rules, 1993, also prohibits the employment of such persons in dangerous machines and in operations which are hazardous to health. The Committee recalls that the minimum age for admission to types of employment or work which are likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons should be not less than 18 years, under Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, and that in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention, derogations may only be authorized as from 16 years after consultations with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, on condition that they have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken to give effect to Article 3 in this respect.

The Committee notes the list of hazardous occupations in the schedule to the Child Labour Act of 2000 and requests indications on whether it has been determined in consultation with the workers’ and employers’ organizations concerned.

Article 8. The Committee notes that section 6 of the Child Labour Act of 2000 stipulates that "an educational institution or any other lawfully established institution for the protection of the rights and interests of children, unlike any other establishment, does not require to obtain approval from the labour office for engaging children in activities or cultural programmes organized in the larger interests of children". The Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 8 of the Convention which lays down that, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, the competent authority may by permits granted in individual cases allow exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work provided for in Article 2 of this Convention, for such purposes as participation in artistic performances. Permits so granted shall limit the number of hours during which and the conditions in which such employment or work is allowed. Recalling that the specified minimum age for admission to employment or work in Nepal is 14 years of age, the Committee considers that approval for young persons below 14 years of age to take part in artistic activities should be granted in individual cases, and that permits so granted shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work is allowed. The Committee would therefore request the Government to provide information on the specific nature of the activities and cultural programmes mentioned in section 6 of the Child Labour Act. The Committee also requests the Government to supply information on the consultations which have taken place on this subject with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.

Part V of the report form (read in conjunction with Article 1 of the Convention). The Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government’s report according to which the country is committed to eliminate child labour. A national master plan against child labour is to be approved by the Government. Following the development of a five-year IPEC strategic plan (2001-05) to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in Nepal, the Government committed Nepal in May 2000 to implement time-bound programmes on the worst forms of child labour. This programme started in 2002 and covers children working in areas including bonded labour, mining, carpet manufacturing and domestic work.

The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government in its report, according to which no comprehensive study has been conducted concerning data on children’s employment. The Government states that children engaged in domestic work and in agricultural firms are commonplace in society, and that it is an economic as well as a social problem. The Government indicates that there is evidence of child workers in agriculture, and that there are programmes that deal with this issue. According to ILO-IPEC’s last National Child Labour Survey for Nepal (1996), about 42 per cent of children from 5 to 14 years of age work, representing some 2.6 million children out of 6.2 million in that age group. The Committee requests the Government to provide, if available, statistical data on the employment of children, figures on complaints filed with the Labour Office, details on violations reported, as well as enforcement actions taken.

The Committee notes that the Child Labour Act of 2000 was endorsed by both Houses of Parliament in 2000 and published in the state Nepal Gazette on 21 June 2000. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Child Labour Act is still undergoing a consultation process. In this regard, the Committee would strongly encourage the Government to ensure that, during this consultation process, full account is taken of the Committee’s detailed comments on discrepancies between the Child Labour Act and the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of progress made in enacting or amending the Child Labour Act. In this respect, it reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance to bring its legislation in conformity with the Convention.

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Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes that section 3(1) of the Child Labour Act of 2000 provides that "no one shall employ as labourers children who have not completed 14 years of age". The same Act does not define the notion of "employment", nor that of "labourer". The Committee requests the Government to indicate which measures have been taken to protect children in the absence of an employment relationship, including for instance, domestic work, work performed on one’s own account or commercial agriculture.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. The Committee notes that section 3(2) of the 2000 Act, in conjunction with section 2(a) of the Act, prohibits the employment of persons who have not attained 16 years of age in any hazardous work or enterprises listed in the Schedule, and that section 43(2) of the Labour Rules, 1993, also prohibits the employment of such persons in dangerous machines and in operations which are hazardous to health. The Committee recalls that the minimum age for admission to types of employment or work which are likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons should be not less than 18 years, under Article 3(1) of the Convention, and that in accordance with Article 3(2) derogations may only be authorized as from 16 years after consultations with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, on condition that they have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken to give effect to this Article in this respect.

The Committee notes the list of hazardous occupations in the annex to the Child Labour Act of 2000 and requests indications on whether it has been determined in consultation with the workers’ and employers’ organizations.

Article 8. The Committee notes section 6 of the Child Labour Act, 2000, for which "an educational institution or any other lawfully established institution for the protection of the rights and interests of children, unlike any other establishment, does not require to obtain approval from the Labour Office for engaging children in activities or cultural programmes organized in the larger interests of children". The Committee reminds the Government that children shall not be employed for such purposes as participation in artistic performances without an individual permit from the Labour Office. The Committee requests information on these activities and cultural programmes.

Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data on the employment of children, figures on complaints filed with the Labour Office, details on violations reported, as well as enforcement actions taken.