Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Portugal (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It also notes the comments made by the Confederation of Trade and Services of Portugal (CCSP) and the General Union of Workers (UGT).

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the number of working children had decreased continually since 1999. It observed, however, that, according to data for 2002–03 from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the secondary school enrolment rate was 89 per cent for girls and 81 per cent for boys. Hence a certain number of children below the minimum age for admission to employment or work, namely 16 years, did not appear to attend secondary school. The Committee asked the Government to supply statistical data on school attendance and drop-out rates.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Education currently collects the necessary information and that this will subsequently be sent to the Committee. It also notes the UGT’s comments that, although a clear improvement is visible, especially as regards awareness of child labour, the fact remains that problems still exist in some sectors. The UGT adds that a number of employers appear to make use of child labour, especially at home, which constitutes a way of evading labour inspection. In addition, according to the activity reports of the general labour inspectorate for 2006, some 55 contraventions involving child labour were detected, representing an increase in relation to 2005. The Committee hopes that the data on education will be available soon and requests the Government to supply them as soon as possible, particularly with regard to the school attendance and drop-out rates. In view of the comments from the UGT, the Committee also asks the Government to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice by supplying, in particular, statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts from the reports of inspection services, and information on the number and nature of contraventions reported.