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Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Papua New Guinea (RATIFICATION: 2000)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2021, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 7 of the Convention. Light work. The Committee had previously noted that pursuant to section 103(2) of the Employment Act, children between 11 and 16 years old are permitted to be employed on the basis of a medical certificate indicating the child’s fitness for that type of employment and a written consent from their parent or guardian, provided that such employment is not prejudicial to their attendance at school.

The Committee once again notes the Government’s statement that the review of the Employment Act will address the inconsistency of the section pertaining to the minimum age for light work with the Convention. The Committee once again expresses the hope that provisions of the Employment Act, once reviewed and amended, will ensure that the minimum age for light work is set at 13 and that children between the ages of 13 and 16 are only engaged in light work activities, in conformity with Article 7 of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee had previously noted the Government’s statement that consultations would take place at the National Tripartite Consultative Council secretariat to discuss the possibility of exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work for such purposes as participation in artistic performances and the granting of individual permits for each case of participation of a child. It had requested the Government to provide information on any developments with regard to envisaged exceptions for artistic performances by children and on the procedure and conditions for granting individual permits for such performances.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the issue concerning exceptions for artistic performances by children shall be addressed in consultation with the Department of Community Development. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.