Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application and the labour inspectorate. The Committee previously noted that, following the enactment of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, the Labour Law applies to all employers and registered and unregistered employees as provided for by section 6. The Government however indicated that labour inspections could not be conducted in the informal economy due to a number of factors, including lack of information and absence of complaints. The Committee therefore requested the Government to take the necessary steps to expand the reach and strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection services to better monitor the work performed by young persons in the informal economy.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a total of 77 labour inspectors have been deployed across the country, enabling the inspection of ten labour units per year for each labour inspector, in the formal and informal sectors. In this respect, the Committee recalls that, according to the 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions (paragraph 345), the limited number of labour inspectors makes it difficult for them to cover the whole of the informal economy.The Committee therefore requests the Government to strengthen its efforts without delay to reinforce the capacities of the labour inspection services so that they can adequately monitor and detect cases of child labour, in the formal and informal sectors. It requests the Government to provide information on the practical implementation of inspections conducted by labour inspectors with regard to child labour, including information on the number and nature of offences reported.

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee previously noted that the age of completion of compulsory schooling was 12 years of age, two years below the minimum age for admission to work of 14 years. It therefore encouraged the Government to consider raising the age of completion of compulsory education so as to coincide with that of the minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment or work.

The Committee notes the absence of information from the Government in this regard. It notes that, according to the 2016 Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) Country Report of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), issued by the World Bank Group, general education begins at age 6 with entry to primary school, up to the age of 10 years, followed by lower secondary school from 11 to 14 years of age. The Committee notes with interest that, according to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of November 2018, the revised Law on Education of 2015 makes primary and secondary education compulsory, thus raising the age of compulsory education to at least 14 years (CRC/C/LAO/CO/3-6, paragraph 38).The Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to ensure that all children aged between 6 and 14 years attend and complete compulsory school, and to provide information on the results achieved in this regard.

Article 3(3). Admission to hazardous types of work from the age of 16 years. The Committee previously noted that section 4 of the Ministerial Decree on the List of Hazardous Work for Young Persons of 2016 permits young persons aged between 14 and 18 years to engage in the types of hazardous work listed under section 3, on the condition that such persons receive sufficient training, technical guidance, instructions and safety tools; and that their work is assessed and authorized by the relevant labour management agencies. Recalling that pursuant to Article 3(3) of the Convention, this exemption is only permitted for young persons from16years of age, the Committee requested the Government to revise section 4 of the Ministerial Decree by raising the lower minimum age from 14 to 16 years.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Ministerial Decree No. 4182/MLSW on the List of Hazardous Works for Young Persons was adopted on 23 November 2018.The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether Ministerial Decree No. 4182/MLSW provides that children from 14 to 16 years of age are exempted from the prohibition on the employment of young persons in hazardous work. If so, it requests the Government to take the necessary measures to bring this Decree into conformity with Article 3(3) of the Convention, by ensuring that children under 16 years of age may not under any circumstances be authorized to perform hazardous work.

Article 6. Vocational training and apprenticeship. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that vocational training and apprenticeships are regulated by the Decree on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development of 22 January 2010. Pursuant to section 11(4) of the Decree, technical and vocational education and training includes “participatory training” at enterprises, such as on-the-job training in places of business, factories or places of production. The Committee requested the Government to indicate if there is a minimum age for the engagement of young persons in “participatory training” in enterprises.

The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information in its report on the minimum age for engagement in “participatory training” in enterprises since 2009. The Committee notes that, in its report to the CRC of October 2017, the Government states that the Law on Technical and Vocational Education and Training of 2013 sets out the rules to train and develop the Lao labour force (CRC/C/LAO/3-6, paragraph 168).The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the rules provided for in the Law on Technical and Vocational Education and Training of 2013 regarding the minimum age for entering an apprenticeship programme.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014-2020), which aims at improving access for child labourers and vulnerable children to services and interventions, maintaining children in school and mainstreaming child labour concerns into agriculture sector policies and interventions. The Committee also requested the Government to provide information on the development of a database on child labour and school attendance and of the second National Child Labour Survey, planned for 2020.

The Government indicates in its report that it has collected data in two provinces (Savannakhet and Salavan), within the framework of the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014–2020). The Committee observes however that the corresponding data has not been provided by the Government. The Committee notes from the Government’s report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of October 2017, that the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014–2020) institutionalized mandatory training on child labour for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges and labour inspectorates (CRC/C/LAO/3-6, paragraph 178).

The Committee observes that according to the Lao Social Indicator Survey II 2017 (LSIS II), issued in 2018 by the Lao Statistics Bureau and UNICEF, 41.5 per cent of children aged 5–14 years are engaged in child labour. It further notes that 16.5 per cent of children aged 5–11 years and 39.3 per cent of children aged 12–14 years are involved in hazardous types of work. A total of 27.9 per cent of children aged 5–17 years work under hazardous conditions (26.7 per cent of girls and 29 per cent of boys). The Committee is therefore bound to express its concern at the significant number of children below the minimum age for admission to employment who are engaged in child labour, including in hazardous conditions.The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure the progressive elimination of child labour in all economic activities. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this respect as well as on the results achieved, including within the framework of the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014–2020).

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour and the application of the Convention in practice. The Committee previously noted that the National Child Labour Survey of 2010 indicated the occurrence of child labour in the country. Approximately 15 per cent of all children in the country were employed in some economic activity, 67 per cent of whom could be considered as children in child labour (working below the minimum age, or above the minimum age and engaged in hazardous work). Moreover, the Survey indicated that 49 per cent of all working children were engaged in hazardous work, and that 54 per cent of working children between the ages of 14 and 18 were engaged in hazardous work. The Committee observed with concern that there remained a significant number of children engaged in child labour, including in hazardous work.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that the implementation of the child labour eradication plan is currently ongoing and continually integrated into the work of different institutions. The Committee also notes the draft National Strategy and Plan of Action on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (2015–15) submitted with the Government’s report. Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s report to the Human Rights Committee of 27 April 2017 that the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014–20) has been adopted, aimed at enhancing policies in education, training, health, social protection and employment to improve access for child labourers and vulnerable children to services and interventions; improving the quality and quantity of educational services to keep children in school; and mainstreaming child labour concerns into agriculture sector policies and interventions. The Plan also includes an objective to improve and institutionalize data collection on child labour and school attendance by developing a database and conducting a second National Child Labour Survey in 2020 to compare data over a ten-year period (CCPR/C/LAO/1, paragraph 155). The Committee therefore requests that the Government provide a copy of the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour (2014–20), and information on concrete measures taken to ensure its effective implementation and the results achieved in this regard. The Committee also requests that the Government provide information on any progress made regarding the development of the database on child labour and school attendance and the second National Child Labour Survey.

Article 2(1). Scope of application. The Committee previously noted that the Labour Law (pursuant to sections 2, 3 and 6) appeared to exclude work performed outside a formal labour relationship from its scope of application. The Government indicated that labour inspections were conducted in the informal economy and that it would consider strengthening the capacity of labour inspection services in order to deal with this issue. The Committee further noted that, following the enactment of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, the Labour Law applies to all employers and registered and unregistered employees as provided for by section 6.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that the labour inspection cannot be conducted in the informal economy due to a number of factors, including lack of information and absence of complaints. The Committee therefore requests that the Government take the necessary steps to expand the reach and strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection services to better monitor the work performed by young persons in the informal economy, and to provide information on any progress made and the results achieved in this regard.

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee previously noted that article 22 of the Constitution states that the Government shall implement compulsory primary education. However, it noted that the age of completion of compulsory schooling was 11 years of age, three years below the minimum age for admission to work of 14 years. The Government indicated that the age of completion of compulsory schooling had been raised from 11 years to 12 years of age. The Committee also noted the information from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics that while the net enrolment rate for children in primary compulsory education was 97 per cent in 2011, the net enrolment rate for children in secondary school was only 41 per cent, and only 81 per cent of children who had completed primary school transitioned to secondary school. The Committee also noted the information from the National Child Labour Survey that approximately 94 per cent of children in child labour had either discontinued studies or have never attended school.

The Committee notes the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Education (2011–15) submitted with the Government’s report. The Committee also notes the information from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics that the net enrolment rate for children in secondary school rose to 54.3 per cent in 2015, and 89.1 per cent of children who had completed primary school transitioned to secondary school in 2014. While taking due note of the progress made in this regard, the Committee must emphasize the importance of linking the age of completion of compulsory schooling with the minimum age for admission to work, as provided under Paragraph 4 of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146). If compulsory schooling comes to an end before children are legally entitled to work, there may arise a vacuum which regrettably opens the door for the economic exploitation of children (the 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraph 371). The Committee therefore once again encourages the Government to consider raising the age of completion of compulsory education so as to coincide with that of the minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment or work. It also requests that the Government provide information on any measures taken in this regard.

Article 3(3). Admission to hazardous types of work from the age of 16 years. The Committee notes that section 4 of the Ministerial Decree on List of Hazardous Work for Young Persons of 2016 permits young persons aged between 14 and 18 years to engage in the types of hazardous work listed under section 3, on the condition that such persons receive sufficient training, technical guidance, instructions and safety tools; and that their work is assessed and authorized by the relevant labour management agencies. The Committee reminds the Government that, pursuant to Article 3(3) of the Convention, this exemption is only permitted for young persons from 16 years of age. The Committee therefore requests that the Government revise section 4 of the Ministerial Decree by raising the lower minimum age specified for exemption from the prohibition on the employment of young persons in hazardous work from 14 years to 16 years, in order to bring it into conformity with Article 3(3) of the Convention.

Article 6. Vocational training and apprenticeship. The Committee previously noted the Government’s statement that vocational training and apprenticeships are regulated by the Decree on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development of 22 January 2010. Pursuant to section 11(4) of the Decree, technical and vocational education and training includes “participatory training” at enterprises, such as on-the-job training in places of business, factories or places of production.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that there is no available data regarding the training of children below 14 years of age. Recalling that Article 6 of the Convention authorizes work to be carried out by persons aged at least 14 in enterprises within the context of an apprenticeship programme, the Committee once again asks that the Government indicate if there is a minimum age for the engagement of persons in “participatory training” in enterprises.

Repetition

Article 3(1) and (2) of the Convention. Minimum age for admission to, and determination of, hazardous work. The Committee notes that, pursuant to article 102 of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, the list of hazardous work prohibited to children under 18 years of age is specified separately. The Committee also notes with satisfaction that the Ministerial Decree on the List of Hazardous Work for Young Persons was adopted in 2016. Section 3 contains a comprehensive list of types of hazardous work prohibited to young persons under 18 years of age, such as work handling with chemical and poisonous substances, work which carries the risk of infection with communicable diseases, work with sharp tools, work in the tobacco industry, and so on. The Committee also notes that, according to section 6, individuals or legal entities who violate this decree shall be responsible in both civil and criminal procedures depending on the severity of the violation. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Ministerial Decree on the list of types of hazardous work for young persons, including the number and nature of violations regarding young persons engaged in hazardous work, as well as the penalties imposed.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously noted that according to article 101 of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, children between the ages of 12 and 14 years may be employed in light work, defined as work that will not negatively impact the child’s physical or mental health and does not obstruct their attendance at school or vocational training, and a list of types of light work shall be defined in a separate regulation.

The Committee notes with satisfaction that the Ministerial Decree on the List of Light Work for Young Persons has been adopted in 2016. Pursuant to sections 1 and 2, children aged 12–14 years are permitted to perform light work which will not jeopardize their physical, moral or mental development and education. Section 3 contains a comprehensive list of types of light work permitted in services, industry and handicraft, as well as in agriculture. Section 4 further provides that a child is not allowed to work more than two hours per day on school days or six hours per day during vacations. Moreover, a child shall not perform overtime work, work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and other types of work as specified in section 5.

Repetition

The Committee notes that Labour Law (Amendment) Act No. 43/NA has been adopted in 2013.

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee previously noted that the Labour Law (pursuant to sections 2, 3 and 6) appears to exclude work performed outside a formal labour relationship, such as self-employment, from its scope of application and that, therefore, the minimum age contained in the Labour Law did not apply to children performing work outside a formal labour relationship. However, the Government indicated that labour inspections were conducted in the informal economy and that it would consider strengthening the capacity of labour inspection services in order to deal with this issue.

The Committee notes that pursuant to section 6 of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, the Labour Law applies to all employers and registered and unregistered employees. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the findings of the labour inspections conducted in the informal economy, in terms of the number of working children and young persons detected in this sector. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to expand the reach and strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection services to better monitor the work performed by young persons in the informal economy.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee notes that according to section 101 of the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013, children between the ages of 12 and 14 may be employed in light work defined as work that will not negatively impact the child’s physical or mental health and does not obstruct their attendance at school or vocational training, and that a list of types of light work shall be defined in a separate regulation. Section 101 further indicates that a list of light work activities permitted to children is specified separately. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the list of light work activities permitted to children of 12–14 years. Noting that the Labour Law Amendment Act of 2013 does not contain provisions regulating light work, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to determine the hours during which, and the conditions in which, light work may be undertaken by children of 12–14 years, pursuant to Article 7(3) of the Convention.

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour and the application of the Convention in practice. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the National Child Labour Survey of 2010 indicated that child labour exists in the country. The Survey indicates that approximately 15 per cent of all children in the country are currently employed in some economic activity, 33 per cent of whom are engaged in work not in contravention of the Convention. However, 67 per cent of these working children can be considered as children in child labour (working below the minimum age, or above the minimum age and engaged in hazardous work). Moreover, the Survey indicates that 49 per cent of all working children are engaged in hazardous work, and that 54 per cent of working children between the ages of 14 and 18 are engaged in hazardous work. The Government states that these statistics indicate that measures, including an action plan, are needed to address child labour in the country. In this regard, the Committee notes that the country’s Decent Work Country Programme (2011–15) includes as a target the adoption by 2013 of a National Policy and Plan of Action to End Child Labour. The Committee observes with concern that there remain a significant number of children engaged in child labour, including in hazardous work. The Committee accordingly urges the Government to pursue its efforts towards the adoption and implementation of a National Policy and Plan of Action on child labour, to achieve the elimination of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to prevent and eliminate child labour within the country, as well as the results achieved. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including information from the labour inspectorate on the number and nature of contraventions reported, violations detected and penalties applied.

...

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee previously noted that article 22 of the Constitution states that the Government shall implement compulsory primary education. However, it noted that the age of completion of compulsory schooling was 11 years of age, three years below the minimum age for admission to work of 14 years. In this regard, the Committee noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its concluding observations of 8 April 2011, expressed concern at the disparity between the legal minimum age for employment and the age of completion of compulsory education (11 or 12 years) as this disparity could create a situation whereby children who do not wish to continue their schooling after completing their compulsory education start working illegally before attaining the minimum age for employment (CRC/C/LAO/CO/2, paragraph 63).

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Education is responsible for legislation relating to compulsory education. The Government indicates that the age of completion of compulsory schooling has been raised from 11 years to 12 years of age. The Committee also notes the information from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics that while the net enrolment rate for children in primary compulsory education was 97 per cent in 2011, the net enrolment rate for children in secondary school was only 41 per cent, and only 81 per cent of children who had completed primary school transitioned to secondary school. The Committee also notes the information from the National Child Labour Survey that approximately 94 per cent of children in child labour have either discontinued studies or have never attended school.

Recalling that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee must emphasize the desirability of linking the age of completion of compulsory schooling with the minimum age for admission to work, as provided under Paragraph 4 of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146). If the compulsory schooling comes to an end before children are legally entitled to work, there may arise a vacuum which regrettably opens the door for the economic exploitation of children (see General Survey of 2012 on the fundamental Conventions concerning rights at work, paragraph 371). The Committee accordingly encourages the Government to consider raising the age of completion of compulsory education so as to coincide with that of the minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment or work. It requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken in this regard.

…

Article 6. Vocational training and apprenticeship. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that vocational training and apprenticeships are regulated by the Decree on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development of 22 January 2010. In this regard, the Committee notes that section 11(4) of the Decree states that technical and vocational education and training includes “participatory training” at enterprises, such as on-the-job training in places of business, factories or places of production. Recalling that Article 6 of the Convention authorizes work to be carried out by persons aged at least 14 in enterprises within the context of an apprenticeship programme, the Committee requests the Government to indicate if there is a minimum age for the engagement of persons in “participatory training” in enterprises.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour. The Committee previously noted the establishment of the Office of Child Labour Protection and Trafficking in Person Prevention in 2006. It also noted that, from 2000–04, the Department of Labour (within the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare), conducted a National Programme for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in collaboration with ILO–IPEC.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that awareness-raising measures on child labour have been implemented. In this regard, the Committee notes the information from ILO–IPEC that the Department of Labour held an event in June 2011 for the World Day Against Child Labour. Over 350 people attended this event, including government officials, workers’ and employers’ representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN personnel, representatives of local administration and 250 children. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that child labour issues were discussed by the central government and authorities at the provincial level, and a meeting was organized between stakeholders and law enforcement authorities. In addition, the Committee notes the information from the ILO Subregional Office in Bangkok that ILO–IPEC recommenced operating in the country in mid-2010, and that there is a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the ILO to undertake work in the area of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to prevent and eliminate child labour within the country, including measures implemented in collaboration with the ILO, as well as the impact achieved.

Article 2(1). Scope of application. The Committee previously noted that the Labour Law (pursuant to sections 2, 3 and 6) appears to exclude work performed outside of a formal labour relationship, such as self-employment, from its scope of application, and that therefore, the minimum age contained in the Labour Law did not apply to children performing work outside of a formal labour relationship. In this regard, the Committee reminded the Government that the Convention applies to all branches of economic activity not expressly excluded under Article 5 of the Convention, and covers all types of employment or work, whether they are carried out on the basis of an employment relationship or not, and whether they are remunerated or not.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that labour inspections are conducted in the informal economy. However, the Government indicates that the labour inspectorate is not proactive in the informal economy, but that it will consider strengthening the capacity of labour inspection services in order to deal with this issue. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that it is currently considering comprehensive reforms of the Labour Law and the establishment of the Labour Protection Law, which it aims to complete by 2012. The Government states that this law will address issues that are not dealt with by the current Labour Law. The Government further indicates that a tripartite committee has been set up to work on this draft law. The Committee encourages the Government to consider, in the context of reforms to the Labour Law and the development of the Labour Protection Law, the Committee’s comments concerning the application of the Convention to forms of work performed outside the framework of a formal employment relationship. It requests the Government to provide information on developments in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to pursue its efforts to expand the reach and strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection services to better monitor the work performed by young persons in the informal sector.

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee previously noted that article 22 of the Constitution states that the Government shall implement compulsory primary education. Moreover, section 5 of the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children Act outlines that children have a duty to complete at least primary school. However, the Committee also noted the information in the Education for All National Plan of Action 2003–15, released by the Ministry of Education in 2005, that compulsory schooling only lasts from the age of 6 to 11 years. The Committee observed that while the requirement of Article 2(3) of the Convention was fulfilled (as the specified minimum age for employment (14 years) is not less than the earliest age of completion of primary education (11 years)), it emphasized the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. If compulsory schooling comes to an end before the young persons are legally entitled to work, there may be an enforced period of inactivity. The Committee therefore indicated that it was desirable to ensure that compulsory education up to the minimum age for employment, as provided under Paragraph 4 of Recommendation No. 146.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Education has a special policy to promote access to education for children from poor families, including not only primary compulsory education, but also upper secondary school. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that low enrolment and completion rates in primary education are concentrated among children in rural, remote and specific ethnic group areas, and particularly among children from low income families. However, the Committee notes an absence of information in the Government’s report concerning any measures taken or envisaged to raise the age of completion of compulsory education. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its concluding observations of 8 April 2011, expressed concern at the disparity between the legal minimum age for employment and the age of completion of compulsory education (11 or 12 years) as this disparity could create a situation whereby children who do not wish to continue their schooling after completing their compulsory education start working illegally before attaining the minimum age for employment (CRC/C/LAO/CO/2, paragraph 63). Recalling that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure compulsory education up to 14 years, in line with the minimum age for admission to work. It requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken in this regard.

Article 5. Limitation of the scope of application of the Convention. The Committee previously noted that the Government, at the time of ratification, made a declaration pursuant to Article 5 of the Convention limiting the application of the Convention to the following areas: mining industries, manufacturing industries, construction and public works, electricity, gas and water, medical and hygiene services, transport, storage service and communication, and farms and other agricultural establishments that are developed mainly for commercial purposes. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on 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 application.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it will consider making another declaration to lift this limitation. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report to the CRC of 10 August 2010 that, with regard to preventing child labour, the problem relates to work performed within family. The Government indicates in this report that nearly 85 per cent of the population work on the land, and, within that environment, children take part in the family’s daily work. The Government states in this report this involvement may have a negative impact on their schooling (CRC/C/LAO/2, paragraph 152). In this regard, the Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts towards a wider application of the provisions of the Convention, in conformity with Article 5(4)(a) of the Convention. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made to this end.

Article 6. Vocational training and apprenticeship. The Committee previously observed a lack of information from the Government on the minimum age for admission to apprenticeships. The Committee notes that, in this regard, the Government’s report refers to section 16 of the Decree on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development. Recalling that Article 6 of the Convention authorizes work to be carried out by persons aged at least 14 in enterprises within the context of an apprenticeship programme, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Decree on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development with its next report.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that, according to information from UNICEF, approximately 25 per cent of children between the ages of 5 and 14 were engaged in child labour during the 1999–2007 period. However, the Committee observed that the national legislation did not contain provisions for the performance of light work for children under the minimum age of 14 years.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the issue of light work may be considered during the comprehensive reforms of the Labour Law and the establishment of the Labour Protection Law. In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 7(1) and (4) of the Convention, which provides that national laws or regulations may permit persons from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that according to Article 7(3) of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee encourages the Government to consider, within the framework of the ongoing labour law reforms, regulating light work for persons between the ages of 12 and 14, in conformity with Article 7 of the Convention.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers. The Committee previously requested information on the measures taken to ensure conformity with Article 9(3) of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that, at the moment, the Labour Law does not require employers to keep registers and documents of persons employed or working for him/her. However, the Government indicates that, in revising the Labour Law, it will take this matter into consideration. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures, within the framework of revisions to the Labour Law, to ensure that employers maintain and make available registers (or other documents) containing the name and ages of all persons under 18 whom they employ, in conformity with Article 9(3) of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that SIMPOC was conducting a national child labour survey. The Committee notes the statement in the Government’s report that the SIMPOC survey has been completed, and the data is current being analysed. The Government indicates that the report will be finished by the end of 2011. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the SIMPOC survey report, once finalized.

The Committee encourages the Government to take into consideration, during its review of the Labour Law, the Committee’s comments on discrepancies between national legislation and the Convention. In this regard, the Committee invites it to consider technical assistance from the ILO to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention.