Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Night Work of Young Persons (Non-Industrial Occupations) Convention, 1946 (No. 79) - Paraguay (Ratification: 1966)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

In its previous observation, the Committee had noted the amendment of section 122 of the Labour Code by Act No. 496 of 22 August 1995. Under the provisions of new section 122, young persons between 15 and 18 years of age shall not be employed at night for a period of ten hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The amendment has reduced to ten hours the 12 hours required by the Convention which was laid down in section 122 of the Code before it was amended by Act No. 496 of 22 August 1995. In addition, the new provisions of section 122 do not stipulate an interval of 14 hours for young persons under 15 years of age. The Committee had also noted that section 189 of the Young Persons’ Code (Act No. 903/81) prohibits young persons under 18 years of age from carrying out work at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., namely, for a period of nine hours. As well as being in contradiction with national legislation which lays down ten hours (section 122 of the Labour Code), it is also in contradiction with Article 3 of the Convention which lays down an interval of 12 consecutive hours.

The Committee took note of the conclusions adopted in June 2002 by the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards, in which the Conference Committee noted with concern the reduction in the protection afforded to children in relation to the restriction on night work. It also noted that, before the Conference Committee, the Government representative endorsed the validity of the observation of the Committee of Experts, and expressed the will of its Government to make the necessary amendments to ensure the application of the Convention.

The Committee had hoped that the Government would take the necessary measures to bring legislation into conformity with the provisions of the Convention by amending sections 122 of the Labour Code and 189 of the Young Persons’ Code.

The Committee referred to its comments on the application of Convention No. 90.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.