Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

The Committee notes the adoption of the Code on Childhood and on Adolescence (Act No. 297, in force from 27 November 1998).

Further to its previous observations, the Committee notes with interest the creation of the National Commission for the Progressive Elimination of Child Labour and the Protection of Minors in Employment, of which the 1998 annual report was supplied by the Government. It also notes the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour. According to the report from the National Commission, various activities have been undertaken, including five action programme projects undertaken with IPEC participation, especially the programmes to eliminate child labour in waste tips and the sexual exploitation of children in the commune of Léon. This policy bears witness to the Government's desire to introduce practical measures to combat child labour, and the Committee encourages it to increase the geographical area covered. It requests the Government to continue to communicate the results of these programmes and in particular the reports of the subcommissions on monitoring and evaluation of the National Commission, as well as other available information regarding the application of the Convention such as the results of the labour inspection, of penalties imposed in respect of infringements and statistical data on child labour.