Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Turkmenistan (Ratification: 2012)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labour. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed the hope that the draft National Action Plan for Children’s Rights (NAPC), which was being developed, would contain specific measures for the effective elimination of child labour and that it would be adopted in the near future.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that the NAPC was adopted in June 2018. The NAPC comprises six thematic sections including, ensuring children’s rights to education and development by providing quality education and social support; improving living conditions and ensuring the economic well-being of children and their families; and protecting the rights of all children to live free of violence, exploitation and cruel or degrading treatment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken, within the framework of the NAPC, to eliminate child labour.

Article 7(3). Determination of light work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to section 23(2) of the Labour Code, a contract of employment may be concluded with a person who has reached the age of 15 years with the consent of a parent or guardian, and that the working hours for employees under the age of 16 years shall not exceed 24 hours per week (sections 23(5) and 60). It requested the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to determine the light work activities which may be permitted to children of at least 15 years of age, pursuant to Article 7(3) of the Convention.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report refers to the conditions for concluding an employment contract with persons under the age of 18 years and does not provide information concerning the determination of light work activities permitted to children of at least 15 years of age. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to determine light work activities that are permitted to children of 15 years and above, pursuant to Article 7(3) of the Convention.