Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Kuwait (Ratification: 1999)

Article 3(2) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to section 20(a) of the Labour Code of 2010, young persons aged from 15 to 18 years shall not be employed in industries or professions that are, by a resolution of the Minister of Labour, classified as hazardous or harmful to their health. It had requested the Government to provide information on the progress made by the Minister of Labour in elaborating such a resolution, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned.

The Committee notes with satisfaction that section 5 of Ministerial Order No. 196/a/2010 contains a list of about 25 types of hazardous work prohibited for children under the age of 18 years. This list includes: exposure to dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, cement and asbestos; work in quarries, drainage and sewage; manufacturing and handling explosives and fireworks; work with dangerous machines; drilling; extracting and refining oil and petrol; carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects; work at high heights; work with lead, arsenic and benzene; work near furnaces; slaughtering of animals; and work with products listed as causing diseases. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 5 of Ministerial Order No. 196 of 2010, including statistics on the number and nature of violations reported and penalties imposed by virtue of section 20(a) of the Labour Code of 2010.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.