Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1987)

Further to its observation, the Committee notes the Government's indication in the report that there is a draft Organic Act on the Protection of Childhood and Adolescence. It requests the Government to take into consideration also the requirements of Article 2 of the Convention, and in particular the following points, if not in the present draft Act, on a suitable occasion: (i) the Convention covers not only work done under a formal employment relationship but any employment or work. While the Committee notes various measures taken by the Government which would contribute to the abolition of any work by under-age children, it might be useful to declare the minimum age for admission to any employment or work in legislation; (ii) the Committee notes the indication in the Government's report that basic education is compulsory from seven years up to 15 years of age approximately. It would draw the Government's attention to the requirement under Article 2(3) that the minimum age should not be lower than the age of completion of compulsory schooling, and asks the Government to supply more information on the exact age of completion of compulsory education.