Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Eritrea (Ratification: 2000)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report, regarding the action taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) to support and assist marginalized women to become independent and generate income through the provision of training and micro credit. The Government indicates that this can have an impact on the elimination of child labour. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that necessary measures will be taken at the appropriate time to develop the national plan of action on the elimination of child labour, which the Government had referred to in its previous report. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee once again urges it to intensify its efforts to progressively eliminate child labour in the country by adopting and implementing the National Action plan for the elimination of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, in particular statistical data on the employment of children and young persons by age group.

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application and labour inspection. Self-employment. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes once again the Government’s indication that it is engaged in including self-employment within the draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation), which currently excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the Labour Inspectorate regularly monitors workplaces and that, in this regard, measures are being taken to improve the number and quality of labour inspections through various trainings. For example, new labour inspectors were given training in August 2022, raising the number of inspectors to 55. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee once again strongly urges the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to take measures to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection system to adequately monitor and detect cases of child labour in the country, in particular self-employed children or children working in the informal economy. It further requests the Government to provide information on the number of inspections on child labour carried out by the labour inspectors as well as on the number and nature of violations detected and penalties applied.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling. With regard to the measures taken to improve access to education, the Committee refers to its comments under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with regret that the Government once again indicates that the MLSW is engaged in the process of finalizing the regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18 years. The Committee once again recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees since 2007. The Committee accordingly strongly urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18 is adopted in the near future. It once again requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

Article 7. Light work. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, considering that children often combine light work with schooling and are usually engaged in gainful employment for an income to supplement family living expenses, the MLSW is envisaging regulating and determining the types of activities, number of hours and conditions in which light work may be undertaken by children from the age of 12, in conformity with Article 7 of the Convention. Considering that it has been raising this question for a number of years, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to regulate and determine the types of activities, the number of hours and the conditions under which light work may be undertaken by children from the age of 12 years, as required under Article 7 of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with regret that the Government indicates once again that the MLSW is still undertaking studies to develop the regulation on the registers of employment to bring it into conformity with Article 9(3) of the Convention. Noting that the Government has been referring to the adoption of this regulation since 2007, the Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the regulation concerning the registers to be kept by employers is adopted without delay. It also once again requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

The Committee strongly encourages the Government to seek ILO technical assistance in its efforts to combat child labour.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intended to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. It noted that the Ministry had inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicated that it had introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. 

The Committee notes an absence of information in the Government’s report on this point. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the findings of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. The Committee requested the Government to finalize those regulations without delay.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that in practice, some young persons above the age of 12 years are engaged in light work outside school hours. Children, who often combine light work with schooling, are usually engaged in gainful employment or self-employment for an income to supplement family living expenses. The majority of working children in Eritrea are engaged in: (i) housework (caring for siblings, fetching water and fire wood); (ii) agricultural work (in family farms and livestock herding); and (iii) petty trade/business (street trade, etc.). The Committee, however, notes that according to the Labour Force Survey of 2015-2016, 16.4 per cent of children aged between 5-13 years are engaged in some work activities. In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 7(1) and (4) of the Convention which provides that national laws or regulations may permit children from the age of 12 years to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that, according to Article 7(3) of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to regulate and determine the types of activities, the number of hours and the conditions under which light work may be undertaken by children from the age of 12 years, as required under Article 7 of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy, labour inspection and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that it had collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document was expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children. However, it noted that the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in its reports of 2014, continued to highlight child labour in the country, including in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee therefore strongly urged the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system.

The Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report, that considering that a holistic approach is the best solution for the elimination of child labour, the Government has adopted a Comprehensive Child Policy in 2016. It also notes the Government’s information that it is in the process of developing a national action plan for the elimination of child labour. In this regard, two members of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) have participated in the National Capacity Building Workshop on Child Labour and Forced Labour Data Analysis organized by the ILO in February 2020 in Cairo, Egypt. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that labour inspection plays a critical role in preventing child labour by conducting regular inspections of workplaces and ensuring that conditions of work are respected as prescribed by law. Several efforts are being taken to improve the number and quality of labour inspections, such as providing trainings to the inspectors. The Government indicates that more than 45 labour inspectors, including new recruits are engaged in inspection throughout the six regions of the country. The Committee further notes the Government’s reference to the findings of the Eritrea Labour Force Survey 2015-16 which indicated that among the 809,670 eligible children (referred to as children within the age group of 5–13 who are eligible for study), 16.4 per cent were engaged in some work activities, of whom 71.3 per cent were then currently attending school. The average age at which children start working is 7 years. The main reasons reported for working at early age were “to help in household enterprises” (53 per cent) and “supplement family income” (33.3 per cent). The survey also indicated that while 11.7 per cent of children combined work with schooling, 4.8 per cent of children were involved in child labour either by missing some classes or without going to school at all. In this regard, the Committee notes from the Technical Advisory Mission Report on the Tripartite Inter-ministerial Workshop on the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182) held in Asmara in March 2019, that the tripartite constituents identified that measures are required to “Strengthen the capacity of labour inspectorate to identify children engaged in child labour with a view to removing them and providing them with assistance”. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee urges it to intensify its efforts to progressively eliminate child labour in the country, including through the adoption and effective implementation of the National Action plan for the elimination of child labour and the Comprehensive Child Policy. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to continue to take measures to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection system in order to adequately monitor and detect cases of child labour in the country. It further requests the Government to provide information on the number of inspections on child labour carried out by the labour inspectors as well as on the number and nature of violations detected and penalties applied. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, in particular statistical data on the employment of children and young persons by age group.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), which would be completed at 14 years of age. It noted the measures taken by the Government to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. However, the Committee noted from the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system and from the Government’s fourth periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), a decline in the elementary school enrolment rates. The Committee therefore requested the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girls.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that efforts are being taken as a priority to improve the compulsory basic education in the country. In order to counter the challenges and hostilities including capacity and resources, and to a limited extent the cultural obstacles affecting nomadic children and girl’s education in some of the lowland areas, basic schools without any barriers are being introduced gradually throughout the country. According to the statistics provided by the Government, in 2017-2018, 654,399 students were enrolled from pre-primary up to secondary level. In the last two decades, school enrolment rates have increased by 96.4 per cent (106.3 per cent for girls), number of teachers by 131 per cent and number of schools by 178 per cent. Moreover, alternative education through Complementary Elementary Education (CEE) has been introduced for out-of-school children as well as to address the challenges in remote and rural areas. In this regard, 8,575 out of school children (46.4 per cent girls) aged 9-14 years benefitted from the CEE in 2016–17. The Committee further notes from the UNICEF Annual Report of 2016 that the ongoing measures to promote access to education resulted in 17,145 out-of-school children including (6,541 girls) from the most disadvantaged areas enrolling in primary education during the 2015-16 academic year. The Committee, however, notes that according to the UNESCO estimates for 2018, the net enrolment rates at primary and secondary level were 51.5 per cent and 41.6 per cent respectively, and the number of out-of-school children was 241,988. Considering that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to increase school enrolment, attendance and completion rates, and reduce drop-out rates, particularly of children up to 14 years of age. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved, including statistical data on the number of children enrolled at the primary and secondary schools.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee urged the Government to finalize this ministerial regulation, without delay.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that child labour in Eritrea does not involve hazardous work. However, the MLSW is in the process of finalizing the regulation prescribing the list of types of hazardous work that are prohibited to young persons under 18 years of age.  The Committee accordingly expresses the firm hope that the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18 will be adopted in the near future. It requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register of persons who are employed and are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation and studies in this regard were ongoing.

The Committee once again notes the Government’s indication that the MLSW is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been referring to the adoption of this regulation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the regulation concerning the registers to be kept by employers is adopted without delay. It also requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

The Committee encourages the Government to seek ILO technical assistance in its efforts to combat child labour.

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

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment.  The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intended to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. It noted that the Ministry had inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicated that it had introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. 

The Committee notes an absence of information in the Government’s report on this point. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 7. Light work.  The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the findings of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. The Committee requested the Government to finalize those regulations without delay.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that in practice, some young persons above the age of 12 years are engaged in light work outside school hours. Children, who often combine light work with schooling, are usually engaged in gainful employment or self-employment for an income to supplement family living expenses. The majority of working children in Eritrea are engaged in: (i) housework (caring for siblings, fetching water and fire wood); (ii) agricultural work (in family farms and livestock herding); and (iii) petty trade/business (street trade, etc.). The Committee, however, notes that according to the Labour Force Survey of 2015-2016, 16.4 per cent of children aged between 5-13 years are engaged in some work activities. In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 7(1) and (4) of the Convention which provides that national laws or regulations may permit children from the age of 12 years to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that, according to Article 7(3) of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to regulate and determine the types of activities, the number of hours and the conditions under which light work may be undertaken by children from the age of 12 years, as required under Article 7 of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy, labour inspection and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that it had collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document was expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children. However, it noted that the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in its reports of 2014, continued to highlight child labour in the country, including in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee therefore strongly urged the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system.

The Committee notes the Government’s information, in its report, that considering that a holistic approach is the best solution for the elimination of child labour, the Government has adopted a Comprehensive Child Policy in 2016. It also notes the Government’s information that it is in the process of developing a national action plan for the elimination of child labour. In this regard, two members of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) have participated in the National Capacity Building Workshop on Child Labour and Forced Labour Data Analysis organized by the ILO in February 2020 in Cairo, Egypt. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that labour inspection plays a critical role in preventing child labour by conducting regular inspections of workplaces and ensuring that conditions of work are respected as prescribed by law. Several efforts are being taken to improve the number and quality of labour inspections, such as providing trainings to the inspectors. The Government indicates that more than 45 labour inspectors, including new recruits are engaged in inspection throughout the six regions of the country. The Committee further notes the Government’s reference to the findings of the Eritrea Labour Force Survey 2015-16 which indicated that among the 809,670 eligible children (referred to as children within the age group of 5–13 who are eligible for study), 16.4 per cent were engaged in some work activities, of whom 71.3 per cent were then currently attending school. The average age at which children start working is 7 years. The main reasons reported for working at early age were “to help in household enterprises” (53 per cent) and “supplement family income” (33.3 per cent). The survey also indicated that while 11.7 per cent of children combined work with schooling, 4.8 per cent of children were involved in child labour either by missing some classes or without going to school at all. In this regard, the Committee notes from the Technical Advisory Mission Report on the Tripartite Inter-ministerial Workshop on the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182) held in Asmara in March 2019, that the tripartite constituents identified that measures are required to “Strengthen the capacity of labour inspectorate to identify children engaged in child labour with a view to removing them and providing them with assistance”. While noting the measures taken by the Government, the Committee urges it to intensify its efforts to progressively eliminate child labour in the country, including through the adoption and effective implementation of the National Action plan for the elimination of child labour and the Comprehensive Child Policy. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to continue to take measures to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection system in order to adequately monitor and detect cases of child labour in the country. It further requests the Government to provide information on the number of inspections on child labour carried out by the labour inspectors as well as on the number and nature of violations detected and penalties applied. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, in particular statistical data on the employment of children and young persons by age group.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), which would be completed at 14 years of age. It noted the measures taken by the Government to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. However, the Committee noted from the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system and from the Government’s fourth periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), a decline in the elementary school enrolment rates. The Committee therefore requested the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girls.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that efforts are being taken as a priority to improve the compulsory basic education in the country. In order to counter the challenges and hostilities including capacity and resources, and to a limited extent the cultural obstacles affecting nomadic children and girl’s education in some of the lowland areas, basic schools without any barriers are being introduced gradually throughout the country. According to the statistics provided by the Government, in 2017-2018, 654,399 students were enrolled from pre-primary up to secondary level. In the last two decades, school enrolment rates have increased by 96.4 per cent (106.3 per cent for girls), number of teachers by 131 per cent and number of schools by 178 per cent. Moreover, alternative education through Complementary Elementary Education (CEE) has been introduced for out-of-school children as well as to address the challenges in remote and rural areas. In this regard, 8,575 out of school children (46.4 per cent girls) aged 9-14 years benefitted from the CEE in 2016–17. The Committee further notes from the UNICEF Annual Report of 2016 that the ongoing measures to promote access to education resulted in 17,145 out-of-school children including (6,541 girls) from the most disadvantaged areas enrolling in primary education during the 2015-16 academic year. The Committee, however, notes that according to the UNESCO estimates for 2018, the net enrolment rates at primary and secondary level were 51.5 per cent and 41.6 per cent respectively, and the number of out-of-school children was 241,988. Considering that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to increase school enrolment, attendance and completion rates, and reduce drop-out rates, particularly of children up to 14 years of age. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved, including statistical data on the number of children enrolled at the primary and secondary schools.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee urged the Government to finalize this ministerial regulation, without delay.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that child labour in Eritrea does not involve hazardous work. However, the MLSW is in the process of finalizing the regulation prescribing the list of types of hazardous work that are prohibited to young persons under 18 years of age.  The Committee accordingly expresses the firm hope that the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18 will be adopted in the near future. It requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register of persons who are employed and are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation and studies in this regard were ongoing.

The Committee once again notes the Government’s indication that the MLSW is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been referring to the adoption of this regulation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the regulation concerning the registers to be kept by employers is adopted without delay. It also requests the Government to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

The Committee encourages the Government to seek ILO technical assistance in its efforts to combat child labour.

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

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

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It expects that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2020, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intends to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. The Committee notes the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry has inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicates that it has introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that, despite its repeated indication over several years, the Government has taken no concrete action to implement national regulations to implement Article 6 of the Convention. Rather, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has issued a concept paper on this matter. The Committee draws the Government’s attention, in this respect, to Paragraph 12(2) of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), which stipulates that measures should be taken to safeguard and supervise the conditions in which children and young persons undergo vocational orientation and training and to formulate standards for their protection and development. The Committee requests the Government to take concrete measures without delay to implement regulations on the training of apprentices, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, and to submit a copy once adopted.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the finding of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. Noting the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has a plan to prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken, the Committee requests the Government to finalize those regulations without delay and to transmit a copy.

Finally, observing the Government’s intention to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), as indicated in the 2014 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/26/13/Add.1, paragraph 3), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on any decisions taken in this respect.

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

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2020, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its concern regarding the widespread child labour in Eritrea and the lack of data and comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation. The Committee also recalls the 2008 concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (CRC/C/ERI/CO/3, paragraphs 12 and 13), which recommended that the Government adopt a national plan of action for children and requested that the Government, with the support of the ILO, UNICEF and NGOs, develop a comprehensive assessment study and plan of action to prevent and combat child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document is expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children.

The Committee notes with concern, however, that despite these preliminary measures, the Government’s report describes very little concrete action that has been undertaken to combat child labour, notwithstanding its prevalence in the country. The Committee notes, in this respect, the reports of the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in 2014, which continue to highlight child labour in the country, including military conscription, as well as work in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee further notes with concern the Government’s indication in its fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ERI/4, paragraph 22) that, because no case of child labour practices had been filed in Eritrean courts, the Government’s efforts to control child labour must have been effective. Observing with deep concern the continuing widespread child labour in Eritrea, including in hazardous activities, the Committee strongly urges the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour once and for all, in cooperation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system. The Committee also strongly encourages the Government to seek technical assistance from the ILO.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), meaning that compulsory education would be completed at 14 years of age. Nevertheless, the Committee noted its concern at the low school enrolment rates and the significant number of children who leave school prior to completing primary education.

The Committee notes the measures described in the Government’s report to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. The Government further indicates that it endeavours to expand secondary school education and bring those schools closer to rural areas. The Committee also notes the 2013–16 UNICEF Country Programme Document for Eritrea (E/ICEF/2013/P/L.1), which highlights certain measures that the Government has undertaken to improve basic education, including the free elementary education and nomadic education projects.

While taking due note of the Government’s efforts, the Committee also notes that, according to the statistical information contained in the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system, the net enrolment rate declined from 52.5 per cent in 2005 to 49.6 per cent in 2010, with disparities by location and gender. The Committee further notes the information contained in the Government’s fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), according to which student enrolment at the elementary school level decreased by 9 per cent and female enrolment decreased by 8 per cent in 2009–10. Noting that increasing access to quality basic education is included among the priorities of the SPCF 2013–16, as well as the Eritrea Country Programme with UNICEF, the Committee requests the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girl children.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee notes that the Government again repeats this indication but also states that the provisions specified under the current section 69 of the Labour Proclamation are sufficient because they include the list of hazardous activities. The Committee notes, however, that section 69 merely authorizes the minister, by regulation, to issue such a list. Therefore, in lieu of a ministerial regulation, by its own terms, the list contained in section 69 remains hypothetical. The Committee accordingly urges the Government, without delay, to finalize the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register for persons employed who are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been repeating its aim to adopt implementing legislation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government, without further delay, to take the necessary measures to adopt the regulation concerning the registers kept by employers and to transmit a copy once finalized.

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

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2014.

Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intends to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. The Committee notes the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry has inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicates that it has introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that, despite its repeated indication over several years, the Government has taken no concrete action to implement national regulations to implement Article 6 of the Convention. Rather, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has issued a concept paper on this matter. The Committee draws the Government’s attention, in this respect, to Paragraph 12(2) of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), which stipulates that measures should be taken to safeguard and supervise the conditions in which children and young persons undergo vocational orientation and training and to formulate standards for their protection and development. The Committee requests the Government to take concrete measures without delay to implement regulations on the training of apprentices, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, and to submit a copy once adopted.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the finding of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. Noting the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has a plan to prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken, the Committee requests the Government to finalize those regulations without delay and to transmit a copy.

Finally, observing the Government’s intention to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), as indicated in the 2014 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/26/13/Add.1, paragraph 3), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on any decisions taken in this respect.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments initially made in 2014.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its concern regarding the widespread child labour in Eritrea and the lack of data and comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation. The Committee also recalls the 2008 concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (CRC/C/ERI/CO/3, paragraphs 12 and 13), which recommended that the Government adopt a national plan of action for children and requested that the Government, with the support of the ILO, UNICEF and NGOs, develop a comprehensive assessment study and plan of action to prevent and combat child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document is expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children.

The Committee notes with concern, however, that despite these preliminary measures, the Government’s report describes very little concrete action that has been undertaken to combat child labour, notwithstanding its prevalence in the country. The Committee notes, in this respect, the reports of the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in 2014, which continue to highlight child labour in the country, including military conscription, as well as work in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee further notes with concern the Government’s indication in its fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ERI/4, paragraph 22) that, because no case of child labour practices had been filed in Eritrean courts, the Government’s efforts to control child labour must have been effective. Observing with deep concern the continuing widespread child labour in Eritrea, including in hazardous activities, the Committee strongly urges the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour once and for all, in cooperation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system. The Committee also strongly encourages the Government to seek technical assistance from the ILO.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), meaning that compulsory education would be completed at 14 years of age. Nevertheless, the Committee noted its concern at the low school enrolment rates and the significant number of children who leave school prior to completing primary education.

The Committee notes the measures described in the Government’s report to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. The Government further indicates that it endeavours to expand secondary school education and bring those schools closer to rural areas. The Committee also notes the 2013–16 UNICEF Country Programme Document for Eritrea (E/ICEF/2013/P/L.1), which highlights certain measures that the Government has undertaken to improve basic education, including the free elementary education and nomadic education projects.

While taking due note of the Government’s efforts, the Committee also notes that, according to the statistical information contained in the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system, the net enrolment rate declined from 52.5 per cent in 2005 to 49.6 per cent in 2010, with disparities by location and gender. The Committee further notes the information contained in the Government’s fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), according to which student enrolment at the elementary school level decreased by 9 per cent and female enrolment decreased by 8 per cent in 2009–10. Noting that increasing access to quality basic education is included among the priorities of the SPCF 2013–16, as well as the Eritrea Country Programme with UNICEF, the Committee requests the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girl children.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee notes that the Government again repeats this indication but also states that the provisions specified under the current section 69 of the Labour Proclamation are sufficient because they include the list of hazardous activities. The Committee notes, however, that section 69 merely authorizes the minister, by regulation, to issue such a list. Therefore, in lieu of a ministerial regulation, by its own terms, the list contained in section 69 remains hypothetical. The Committee accordingly urges the Government, without delay, to finalize the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register for persons employed who are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been repeating its aim to adopt implementing legislation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government, without further delay, to take the necessary measures to adopt the regulation concerning the registers kept by employers and to transmit a copy once finalized.

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

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2014. The Committee also notes that the Government has been requested to provide information to the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 106th Session of the International Labour Conference for failure to supply reports and information on the application of ratified Conventions.

Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intends to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. The Committee notes the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry has inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicates that it has introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that, despite its repeated indication over several years, the Government has taken no concrete action to implement national regulations to implement Article 6 of the Convention. Rather, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has issued a concept paper on this matter. The Committee draws the Government’s attention, in this respect, to Paragraph 12(2) of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), which stipulates that measures should be taken to safeguard and supervise the conditions in which children and young persons undergo vocational orientation and training and to formulate standards for their protection and development. The Committee requests the Government to take concrete measures without delay to implement regulations on the training of apprentices, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, and to submit a copy once adopted.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the finding of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. Noting the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has a plan to prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken, the Committee requests the Government to finalize those regulations without delay and to transmit a copy.

Finally, observing the Government’s intention to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), as indicated in the 2014 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/26/13/Add.1, paragraph 3), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on any decisions taken in this respect.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments initially made in 2014. The Committee also notes that the Government has been requested to provide information to the Committee on the Application of Standards at the 106th Session of the International Labour Conference for failure to supply reports and information on the application of ratified Conventions.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its concern regarding the widespread child labour in Eritrea and the lack of data and comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation. The Committee also recalls the 2008 concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (CRC/C/ERI/CO/3, paragraphs 12 and 13), which recommended that the Government adopt a national plan of action for children and requested that the Government, with the support of the ILO, UNICEF and NGOs, develop a comprehensive assessment study and plan of action to prevent and combat child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document is expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children.

The Committee notes with concern, however, that despite these preliminary measures, the Government’s report describes very little concrete action that has been undertaken to combat child labour, notwithstanding its prevalence in the country. The Committee notes, in this respect, the reports of the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in 2014, which continue to highlight child labour in the country, including military conscription, as well as work in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee further notes with concern the Government’s indication in its fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ERI/4, paragraph 22) that, because no case of child labour practices had been filed in Eritrean courts, the Government’s efforts to control child labour must have been effective. Observing with deep concern the continuing widespread child labour in Eritrea, including in hazardous activities, the Committee strongly urges the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour once and for all, in cooperation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system. The Committee also strongly encourages the Government to seek technical assistance from the ILO.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), meaning that compulsory education would be completed at 14 years of age. Nevertheless, the Committee noted its concern at the low school enrolment rates and the significant number of children who leave school prior to completing primary education.

The Committee notes the measures described in the Government’s report to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. The Government further indicates that it endeavours to expand secondary school education and bring those schools closer to rural areas. The Committee also notes the 2013–16 UNICEF Country Programme Document for Eritrea (E/ICEF/2013/P/L.1), which highlights certain measures that the Government has undertaken to improve basic education, including the free elementary education and nomadic education projects.

While taking due note of the Government’s efforts, the Committee also notes that, according to the statistical information contained in the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system, the net enrolment rate declined from 52.5 per cent in 2005 to 49.6 per cent in 2010, with disparities by location and gender. The Committee further notes the information contained in the Government’s fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), according to which student enrolment at the elementary school level decreased by 9 per cent and female enrolment decreased by 8 per cent in 2009–10. Noting that increasing access to quality basic education is included among the priorities of the SPCF 2013–16, as well as the Eritrea Country Programme with UNICEF, the Committee requests the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girl children.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee notes that the Government again repeats this indication but also states that the provisions specified under the current section 69 of the Labour Proclamation are sufficient because they include the list of hazardous activities. The Committee notes, however, that section 69 merely authorizes the minister, by regulation, to issue such a list. Therefore, in lieu of a ministerial regulation, by its own terms, the list contained in section 69 remains hypothetical. The Committee accordingly urges the Government, without delay, to finalize the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register for persons employed who are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been repeating its aim to adopt implementing legislation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government, without further delay, to take the necessary measures to adopt the regulation concerning the registers kept by employers and to transmit a copy once finalized.

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

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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee recalls its previous comment which had noted that, although Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) excludes self-employed workers from its scope of application, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intends to introduce a programme regulating self-employment. The Committee notes the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry has inserted provisions for self-employment in draft amendments to the Labour Proclamation. The Government further indicates that it has introduced a pilot local economic development (LED) project which aims, among others, to extend the protections of the Convention to children who are working outside of the formal employment relationship. Recalling that the Committee has been requesting the Government to take the necessary measures in this respect for many years, the Committee strongly requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to ensure that the protections provided under the Labour Proclamation are extended to children working outside of an employment relationship in the very near future. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further details concerning the pilot LED project, including the number of children covered by the programme, the results achieved and its potential continuance.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that, despite its repeated indication over several years, the Government has taken no concrete action to implement national regulations to implement Article 6 of the Convention. Rather, the Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has issued a concept paper on this matter. The Committee draws the Government’s attention, in this respect, to Paragraph 12(2) of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), which stipulates that measures should be taken to safeguard and supervise the conditions in which children and young persons undergo vocational orientation and training and to formulate standards for their protection and development. The Committee requests the Government to take concrete measures without delay to implement regulations on the training of apprentices, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, and to submit a copy once adopted.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It further noted the finding of the Constitution Commission that statutory regulations are needed concerning the number of hours children may work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should be prohibited. Noting the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has a plan to prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken, the Committee requests the Government to finalize those regulations without delay and to transmit a copy.

Finally, observing the Government’s intention to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), as indicated in the 2014 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/26/13/Add.1, paragraph 3), the Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on any decisions taken in this respect.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its concern regarding the widespread child labour in Eritrea and the lack of data and comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation. The Committee also recalls the 2008 concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (CRC/C/ERI/CO/3, paragraphs 12 and 13), which recommended that the Government adopt a national plan of action for children and requested that the Government, with the support of the ILO, UNICEF and NGOs, develop a comprehensive assessment study and plan of action to prevent and combat child labour.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has collected data and information to formulate a national policy and that an upcoming Comprehensive National Child Policy document is expected to strengthen efforts to provide sustained services to children.

The Committee notes with concern, however, that despite these preliminary measures, the Government’s report describes very little concrete action that has been undertaken to combat child labour, notwithstanding its prevalence in the country. The Committee notes, in this respect, the reports of the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/L.6 and A/HRC/26/45) in 2014, which continue to highlight child labour in the country, including military conscription, as well as work in hazardous activities such as harvesting and construction. The Committee further notes with concern the Government’s indication in its fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ERI/4, paragraph 22) that, because no case of child labour practices had been filed in Eritrean courts, the Government’s efforts to control child labour must have been effective. Observing with deep concern the continuing widespread child labour in Eritrea, including in hazardous activities, the Committee strongly urges the Government to intensify its efforts to implement concrete measures, such as by adopting a national plan of action to abolish child labour once and for all, in cooperation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned, as well as strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection system. The Committee also strongly encourages the Government to seek technical assistance from the ILO.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. In previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school), meaning that compulsory education would be completed at 14 years of age. Nevertheless, the Committee noted its concern at the low school enrolment rates and the significant number of children who leave school prior to completing primary education.

The Committee notes the measures described in the Government’s report to provide free education to all school children up to the middle school level as well as its policies, in particular the Nomadic Education Policy, to make education inclusive to all children. The Government further indicates that it endeavours to expand secondary school education and bring those schools closer to rural areas. The Committee also notes the 2013–16 UNICEF Country Programme Document for Eritrea (E/ICEF/2013/P/L.1), which highlights certain measures that the Government has undertaken to improve basic education, including the free elementary education and nomadic education projects.

While taking due note of the Government’s efforts, the Committee also notes that, according to the statistical information contained in the draft proposal within the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) 2013–16 between the Government and the United Nations system, the net enrolment rate declined from 52.5 per cent in 2005 to 49.6 per cent in 2010, with disparities by location and gender. The Committee further notes the information contained in the Government’s fourth periodic report to the CRC (CRC/C/ER/4, paragraph 301 and table 28), according to which student enrolment at the elementary school level decreased by 9 per cent and female enrolment decreased by 8 per cent in 2009–10. Noting that increasing access to quality basic education is included among the priorities of the SPCF 2013–16, as well as the Eritrea Country Programme with UNICEF, the Committee requests the Government to continue to cooperate with the UN bodies to improve the functioning of, and access to, the education system so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates for children at least up to the age of completion of compulsory education, particularly with regard to girl children.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee recalls that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of a list of hazardous activities prohibited to young employees under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation since 2007. The Committee notes that the Government again repeats this indication but also states that the provisions specified under the current section 69 of the Labour Proclamation are sufficient because they include the list of hazardous activities. The Committee notes, however, that section 69 merely authorizes the minister, by regulation, to issue such a list. Therefore, in lieu of a ministerial regulation, by its own terms, the list contained in section 69 remains hypothetical. The Committee accordingly urges the Government, without delay, to finalize the ministerial regulation issuing the list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the requirement for employers to maintain a register for persons employed who are under 18 years would be addressed in an upcoming regulation. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s latest indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is still undertaking studies to develop this regulation. Noting that the Government has been repeating its aim to adopt implementing legislation since 2007, the Committee urges the Government, without further delay, to take the necessary measures to adopt the regulation concerning the registers kept by employers and to transmit a copy once finalized.

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

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Scope of application. Self-employment. The Committee previously noted that the provisions in Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 (Labour Proclamation) concerning the minimum age were applicable only in the context of a contract of employment, and therefore appeared to exclude self-employed workers from the application of these provisions. However, it also noted the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare intended to introduce a programme with regard to self‑employment. The Committee expressed the hope that this programme would ensure that self-employed children benefited from the protection laid down in the Convention, and requested information on progress made in this regard.

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that, due to financial constraints, no programme on self-employment has yet been undertaken. The Government indicates that a programme in this regard will be contemplated once funding is available. The Committee reminds the Government that the Convention applies to all types of employment or work, whether or not it is performed on the basis of an employment contract. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that children working outside of an employment relationship, such as those working on a self-employed basis, benefit from the protection afforded by the Convention. It also requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged in this respect, including through the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare’s programme on self-employment.

Article 2(3) and (4). Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee previously noted that the Labour Proclamation establishes a minimum age for admission to employment of 14 years, the age specified by the Government upon ratification. The Committee also noted the Government’s intention to render education compulsory until middle school. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on progress made in this regard.

The Committee notes the statement in the Government’s report that education is compulsory for eight years (five years of elementary school and three years of middle school). The Government indicates that children start elementary education at the age of 6 years, and therefore complete compulsory education at 14 years, the minimum age for admission to work. While taking due note of this information, the Committee also notes the information in the UNESCO report of 2010 entitled “Education for All: Global Monitoring Report” that, in 2007, the net enrolment rate in primary education was only 41 per cent, and that there were approximately 349,000 children of primary-school age who were not in school. The UNESCO report further indicates that the survival rate to the last grade of primary school was 60 per cent in 2006, a significant decline from the 95 per cent survival rate in 1999. The Committee expresses its concern at the low school enrolment rates, in addition to the significant number of children who leave school prior to completing primary education. Considering that education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee urges the Government to improve the functioning of the education system, so as to increase school enrolment rates and reduce school drop-out rates. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard, and on the results achieved.

Article 3(2). Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee previously noted that, under section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation, the Minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels. The Committee further noted that such a regulation on hazardous work had been drafted and finalized, following consultation with the social partners.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that this draft regulation has yet to be adopted. The Committee observes that the Government has been referring to the upcoming adoption of this list since 2007, and reminds the Government that, by virtue of Article 3(2) of the Convention, the hazardous types of employment or work shall be determined by national laws or regulations or by the competent authority. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure, in the very near future, the adoption of the regulation pursuant to section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation, containing a list of hazardous activities prohibited to persons under the age of 18. It requests the Government to provide a copy of this regulation, once adopted.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the general minimum age of 14 years applied for admission to apprenticeships. It also noted that pursuant to section 38 of the Labour Proclamation, the Minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. The Committee further noted that while no such regulation had been issued, the Government indicated that a regulation pertaining to the training of apprentices was envisaged. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that no regulation has yet been issued pursuant to section 38 of the Labour Proclamation. However, the Government indicates that it does intend to issue a regulation concerning the training of apprentices in the future. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide a copy of the regulation on the training of apprentices once adopted.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee previously observed that the legislation in force contained no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It also noted the Government’s statement in its report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 23 December 2002 that the Constitution Commission had indicated that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours) in addition to the types of work which should not be performed (CRC/C/41/Add.12, paragraph 40).

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that no measures have been taken regarding the regulation of light work activities or the determination of light work conditions. It also notes the Government’s statement that, in practice, some children from the age of 12 are engaged in part-time work, such as the distribution of newspapers or the selling of food items. In light of this information, the Committee recalls that by virtue of Article 7(1) and (4), of the Convention, national laws or regulations may permit children from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance in school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. Furthermore, pursuant to Article 7(3) of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what light work is and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee therefore encourages the Government to take the necessary measures to determine light work activities that may be undertaken by children between 12 and 14 years of age, and to determine the number of hours which, and the conditions in which, light work may be undertaken.

Article 9(3). Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee previously noted that, pursuant to section 20(7) and 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation, employers were required to keep a register, but that the register that was required did not include the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are under 18 years. However, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that this issue would be addressed in an upcoming regulation that would be adopted pursuant to section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation relating to hazardous work. The Committee expressed the firm hope that the regulation would be adopted in the near future.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is currently undertaking studies in preparation for developing a regulation on employers’ registers. The Committee recalls that Article 9(3) of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are under 18 years of age. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the regulation concerning the registers kept by employers is elaborated and adopted in the near future. It requests the Government to provide a copy of this regulation, once adopted.

Parts III and V of the report form. Labour inspection and practical application of the Convention. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that there is a need for further awareness-raising on child labour issues, in addition to a need to build the capacity of governmental staff for the effective application of the Convention. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that there have been no reported cases of child labour through the labour inspection system. The Government’s report further states that the information from the public prosecutor’s office indicates that there have not been any court cases filed relating to child labour.

However, the Committee notes that the CRC, in its concluding observations of 23 June 2008, expressed concern regarding widespread child labour, over the lack of comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation and due to the lack of data concerning the child labour situation in the country (CRC/C/ERI/CO/3, paragraphs 18 and 74). The Committee expresses its concern over the situation of widespread child labour in the country, as well as the weak enforcement of the Convention, and accordingly urges the Government to redouble its efforts to improve this situation, including through measures to strengthen the capacity of the labour inspection system. It requests the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken in this respect, and on the results achieved. The Committee further requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that sufficient data on the situation of children involved in economic activity is available and invites the Government to provide such data when it becomes available.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Self-employment. The Committee had previously noted that section 9 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 is applicable to a contract of employment and that the Labour Proclamation therefore appears to exclude self-employment from its application. The Committee had recalled that the Convention applies not only to work under an employment contract, but to all types of work or employment. It notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is striving to introduce a programme with regard to self-employment in the near future. The Committee trusts that the programme on self-employment envisaged by the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare will ensure that self-employed children benefit from the protection laid down in the Convention. It requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the abovementioned programme and on any progress made in this regard.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee had previously noted that the minimum age for admission to employment or work specified by the Government when ratifying the Convention is 14 years. It had noted that according to section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minimum age for admission to employment in Eritrea is 14 years. It had also noted that section 13.1.2(a) of the Macro-Policy dated November 1994, established by the Government and submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provided that universal primary education up to 7 years would gradually be made available to all, but that it did not refer to the compulsory nature of education. The Committee had recalled that the Convention provides that the minimum age specified for admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and had considered that it is important that a country which does not have a system of compulsory education should take urgent steps to fill that gap. The Committee had also expressed its view that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour and that it is important to emphasize the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Education has declared a comprehensive transformation of the education system through the Concept Paper for a Rapid Transformation of the Eritrean Educational System of 2002, according to which it is envisaged to render education compulsory until middle school, i.e. until children reach the age of 14 years. According to the information available to the Office, a five-year Education Sector Investment Programme was developed in 2003 pursuant to the Concept Paper, which was in turn developed into the Education Development Programme in 2005. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in reforming the education system and, more specifically, in making education compulsory for children until middle school.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work and determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted that section 9(2) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that no contract of employment shall be enforceable against a person below the age of 18, if it is determined to be prejudicial to the interests of that person. It had drawn the Government’s attention to Article 3(1) of the Convention according to which the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. The Committee had also noted that, under section 69(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the Minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels. The Committee notes the Government’s information that a regulation was drafted to ensure that the employment of young persons under 18 years of age in work which can jeopardize their health, safety or morals is prohibited. The draft regulation also includes a list of hazardous workplaces. The Government indicates that, after consultation with the social partners, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has finalized the draft regulation. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the regulation on hazardous work as soon as it is adopted.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that section 33 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that a contract of apprenticeship shall be in writing and shall include at least: the vocational training an apprentice will get; the duration of apprenticeship; and whether pocket money is to be paid to an apprentice. It had also noted that under section 38 of the same Labour Proclamation, the Minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s information that the minimum age required for engagement in an apprenticeship is the same as the minimum age specified for all types of employment or work, i.e. 14 years, as provided by section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001. It also notes the Government’s indication that no regulation has yet been issued pursuant to section 38 of the Labour Proclamation, but that a regulation pertaining to the training of apprentices is currently envisaged. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in the elaboration of the regulation on the training of apprentices and to supply a copy of it as soon as it is adopted.

Article 7. Light work. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that section 140 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that the Minister may issue regulations or directives in respect of activities concerning young employees, which is to say persons above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 years, by virtue of section 3(3) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001. The Committee had observed that it seems that the legislation in force contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It had nevertheless noted the statement contained in the initial report of Eritrea of 23 December 2002 submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child that the Constitution Commission had raised the point for community discussions that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours), and the types of work which should not be performed (CRC/C/41/Add.12, paragraph 40, under “Child labour”). The Committee had recalled that Article 7(4) of the Convention provides that national laws or regulations may permit children from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee had also recalled that according to Article 7(3) of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what light work is and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. Noting the lack of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to continue providing information on the statutory regulations which would determine light work activities and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken by young persons from 12 years and above.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee had previously noted that section 20 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides for the obligations of an employer, which include the keeping of a register containing the relevant particulars specified in section 10(1). It had also noted that section 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation does not contain any requirement to include in the register the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are under 18 years. The Committee had recalled that Article 9(3) of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are under 18 years of age. The Committee notes the Government’s information that this issue will be addressed in an upcoming regulation that will be adopted pursuant to section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation relating to hazardous work. The Committee trusts that the upcoming regulation on the registers of employers will ensure that they are kept in conformity with Article 9(3) of the Convention. It expresses the firm hope that the regulation will be adopted in the near future and requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Part V of the report form. Practical application of the Convention. Noting the lack of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied including, for example, 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 violations detected involving children and young persons.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Self-employment. The Committee had previously noted that section 9 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 is applicable to a contract of employment and that the Labour Proclamation therefore appears to exclude self-employment from its application. The Committee had recalled that the Convention applies not only to work under an employment contract, but to all types of work or employment. It notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare is striving to introduce a programme with regard to self-employment in the near future. The Committee trusts that the programme on self-employment envisaged by the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare will ensure that self-employed children benefit from the protection laid down in the Convention. It requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the abovementioned programme and on any progress made in its regard.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee had previously noted that the minimum age for admission to employment or work specified by the Government when ratifying the Convention is 14 years. It had noted that according to section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minimum age for admission to employment in Eritrea is 14 years. It had also noted that section 13.1.2(a) of the Macro-Policy dated November 1994, established by the Government and submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provided that universal primary education up to 7 years would gradually be made available to all, but that it did not refer to the compulsory nature of education. The Committee had recalled that the Convention provides that the minimum age specified for admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and had considered that it is important that a country which does not have a system of compulsory education should take urgent steps to fill that gap. The Committee had also expressed its view that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour and that it is important to emphasize the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. The Committee notes the Government’s information that the Ministry of Education has declared a comprehensive transformation of the education system through the Concept Paper for a Rapid Transformation of the Eritrean Educational System of 2002, according to which it is envisaged to render education compulsory until middle school, i.e. until children reach the age of 14 years. According to the information available to the Office, a five-year Education Sector Investment Programme was developed in 2003 pursuant to the Concept Paper, which was in turn developed into the Education Development Programme in 2005. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in reforming the education system and, more specifically, in making education compulsory for children until middle school.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work and determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee had previously noted that section 9(2) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that no contract of employment shall be enforceable against a person below the age of 18, if it is determined to be prejudicial to the interests of that person. It had drawn the Government’s attention to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention according to which the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. The Committee had also noted that, under section 69(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the Minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels. The Committee notes the Government’s information that a regulation was drafted to ensure that the employment of young persons under 18 years of age in work which can jeopardize their health, safety or morals is prohibited. The draft regulation also includes a list of hazardous workplaces. The Government indicates that, after consultation with the social partners, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has finalized the draft regulation. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the regulation on hazardous work as soon as it is adopted.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that section 33 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that a contract of apprenticeship shall be in writing and shall include at least: the vocational training an apprentice will get; the duration of apprenticeship; and whether pocket money is to be paid to an apprentice. It had also noted that under section 38 of the same Labour Proclamation, the Minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s information that the minimum age required for engagement in an apprenticeship is the same as the minimum age specified for all types of employment or work, i.e. 14 years, as provided by section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001. It also notes the Government’s indication that no regulation has yet been issued pursuant to section 38 of the Labour Proclamation, but that a regulation pertaining to the training of apprentices is currently envisaged. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in the elaboration of the regulation on the training of apprentices and to supply a copy of it as soon as it is adopted.

Article 7. Light work. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that section 140 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that the Minister may issue regulations or directives in respect of activities concerning young employees, which is to say persons above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 years, by virtue of section 3(3) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001. The Committee had observed that it seems that the legislation in force contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. It had nevertheless noted the statement contained in the initial report of Eritrea of 23 December 2002 submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child that the Constitution Commission had raised the point for community discussions that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours), and the types of work which should not be performed (CRC/C/41/Add.12, paragraph 40, under “Child labour”). The Committee had recalled that Article 7, paragraph 4, of the Convention provides that national laws or regulations may permit children from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee had also recalled that according to Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what light work is and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. Noting the lack of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to continue providing information on the statutory regulations which would determine light work activities and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken by young persons from 12 years and above.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee had previously noted that section 20 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides for the obligations of an employer, which include the keeping of a register containing the relevant particulars specified in section 10(1). It had also noted that section 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation does not contain any requirement to include in the register the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are under 18 years. The Committee had recalled that Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are under 18 years of age. The Committee notes the Government’s information that this issue will be addressed in an upcoming regulation that will be adopted pursuant to section 69(1) of the Labour Proclamation relating to hazardous work. The Committee trusts that the upcoming regulation on the registers of employers will ensure that they are kept in conformity with Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention. It expresses the firm hope that the regulation will be adopted in the near future and requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Part V of the report form. Practical application of the Convention. Noting the lack of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied including, for example, 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 violations detected involving children and young persons.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Self-employment. The Committee notes that section 9 of the Labour Proclamation, No. 118/2001, is applicable to a contract of employment, which is defined as a written or oral contract entered into by an employee and employer, whereby the employee agrees to render services of a physical or intellectual nature to the employer, under the direction and control of the employer. The Labour Proclamation therefore appears to exclude self-employment from its application. The Committee recalls that the Convention applies not only to work under an employment contract but to all types of work or employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report any measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of the Convention to all types of work outside an employment relationship, such as self-employment.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee notes that the minimum age for admission to employment or work specified by the Government when ratifying the Convention is 14 years. It also notes that according to section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minimum age for admission to employment in Eritrea is 14 years. The Committee recalls that the Convention provides that the minimum age specified for admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee notes that section 13.1.2(a) of the Macro-Policy dated November 1994, established by the Government and submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provides that universal primary education up to seven years will gradually be made available to all, but that it does not refer to the compulsory nature of education. The Committee notes, from this report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, that primary education has not yet been made compulsory. The Committee considers that the requirement of Article 2(3) of the Convention is fulfilled since the minimum age for employment is not less than the age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee nevertheless considers that it is important that a country which does not have a system of compulsory education should take urgent steps to fill this gap. Indeed, the Committee is of the view that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour and that is important to emphasize the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. If the two ages do not coincide, various problems may arise. If compulsory schooling comes to an end before the young persons are legally entitled to work, there may be an enforced period of idleness [see ILO: Minimum age, General Survey of the reports relating to Convention No. 138 and Recommendation No. 146 concerning minimum age, Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, Report III (Part 4(B)), ILC, 67th Session, Geneva, 1981, para. 140]. The Committee therefore considers it desirable to ensure compulsory education up to the minimum age for employment, as provided under Paragraph 4 of Recommendation No. 146. The Committee hopes, therefore that the Government will indicate any development in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 1. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work. The Committee notes that section 9(2) of the Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that no contract of employment shall be enforceable against a person below the age of 18, if it is determined to be prejudicial to the interests of that person. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention according to which the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that a person below 18 years cannot occupy a job which jeopardizes his or her health, safety or morals.

Article 3, paragraph 2. Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee also notes that under section 69(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels, etc. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any regulation containing a list of hazardous activities has been issued by the minister, as required by Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. If so, it asks the Government to communicate the list of the types of hazardous work and to indicate whether workers’ and employers’ organizations have been previously consulted for the determination of such work.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that section 3(9) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that a contract of apprenticeship means a contract whereby an apprentice renders services to an employer while acquiring a special skill and receiving an agreed amount of pocket money. It also notes that under section 33 of the same Labour Proclamation, a contract of apprenticeship shall be in writing and shall include at least: the vocational training an apprentice will get; the duration of apprenticeship; and whether pocket money is to be paid to an apprentice. The Committee recalls that Article 6 of the Convention provides that the Convention does not apply to work done by persons of at least 14 years of age in undertakings. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the minimum age for apprenticeships.

The Committee notes that under section 38 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. It also takes note of the statement of the Government in its report, according to which the formulation of ministerial regulations is done in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, and that, although the advisory board is in the process of being established, in practice consultations are carried out with the social partners concerned. The Committee requests the Government to indicate if the minister has issued regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices, and if so, to supply a copy. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether the advisory board has been established and has been consulted on the ministerial regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the system of vocational or technical education, and on the conditions prescribed by the competent authorities for any work done by children and young persons as part of vocational or technical education.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee notes that section 140 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that the minister may issue regulations or directives in respect of activities concerning young employees, which is to say persons above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 years (section 3(3) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001). It seems that the legislation in force contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. The Committee nevertheless notes the statement contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (paragraph 40, under “Child labour”) that the Constitution Commission had raised the point for community discussions that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours), and the type of work which should not be performed. The Committee recalls that Article 7, paragraph 4, of the Convention provides that national laws or regulations may permit persons from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that according to Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to continue providing information on the statutory regulations which would determine light work activities and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken by young persons from 12 years and above.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee notes that section 20 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides for the obligations of an employer, which include the keeping of a register containing the relevant particulars specified in section 10(1). Section 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation does not contain any requirement to include in the register the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are less than 18 years. The Committee recalls that Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are less than 18 years of age. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that employers are obligated to register such information, and to provide information about these measures.

Part V of the report form. Practical application of the Convention. The Committee had previously noted the information provided by the Government in its report according to which no labour inspection reports have so far referred to cases of child labour under the Convention. The Committee, nevertheless, takes note of the information contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, according to which, in the rural areas, children from about 5 years of age look after livestock and are expected to work in the fields. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in the same report, in towns many children under age work as apprentices in shops, in workshops such as garages or metal workshops, and others do domestic work or work on the streets. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including, for example, 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 violations detected involving children and young persons.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Self-employment. The Committee notes that section 9 of the Labour Proclamation, No. 118/2001, is applicable to a contract of employment, which is defined as a written or oral contract entered into by an employee and employer, whereby the employee agrees to render services of a physical or intellectual nature to the employer, under the direction and control of the employer. The Labour Proclamation therefore appears to exclude self-employment from its application. The Committee recalls that the Convention applies not only to work under an employment contract but to all types of work or employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report any measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of the Convention to all types of work outside an employment relationship, such as self-employment.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Age of completion of compulsory schooling and minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee notes that the minimum age for admission to employment or work specified by the Government when ratifying the Convention is 14 years. It also notes that according to section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minimum age for admission to employment in Eritrea is 14 years. The Committee recalls that the Convention provides that the minimum age specified for admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee notes that section 13.1.2(a) of the Macro-Policy dated November 1994, established by the Government and submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provides that universal primary education up to seven years will gradually be made available to all, but that it does not refer to the compulsory nature of education. The Committee notes, from this report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, that primary education has not yet been made compulsory. The Committee considers that the requirement of Article 2(3) of the Convention is fulfilled since the minimum age for employment is not less than the age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee nevertheless considers that it is important that a country which does not have a system of compulsory education should take urgent steps to fill this gap. Indeed, the Committee is of the view that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour and that is important to emphasize the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. If the two ages do not coincide, various problems may arise. If compulsory schooling comes to an end before the young persons are legally entitled to work, there may be an enforced period of idleness [see ILO: Minimum age, General Survey of the reports relating to Convention No. 138 and Recommendation No. 146 concerning minimum age, Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, Report III (Part 4(B)), ILC, 67th Session, Geneva, 1981, para. 140]. The Committee therefore considers it desirable to ensure compulsory education up to the minimum age for employment, as provided under Paragraph 4 of Recommendation No. 146. The Committee hopes, therefore that the Government will indicate any development in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 1. Minimum age for admission to hazardous work. The Committee notes that section 9(2) of the Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that no contract of employment shall be enforceable against a person below the age of 18, if it is determined to be prejudicial to the interests of that person. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention according to which the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that a person below 18 years cannot occupy a job which jeopardizes his or her health, safety or morals.

Article 3, paragraph 2. Determination of the types of hazardous work. The Committee also notes that under section 69(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels, etc. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any regulation containing a list of hazardous activities has been issued by the minister, as required by Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. If so, it asks the Government to communicate the list of the types of hazardous work and to indicate whether workers’ and employers’ organizations have been previously consulted for the determination of such work.

Article 6. Apprenticeship. The Committee notes that section 3(9) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that a contract of apprenticeship means a contract whereby an apprentice renders services to an employer while acquiring a special skill and receiving an agreed amount of pocket money. It also notes that under section 33 of the same Labour Proclamation, a contract of apprenticeship shall be in writing and shall include at least: the vocational training an apprentice will get; the duration of apprenticeship; and whether pocket money is to be paid to an apprentice. The Committee recalls that Article 6 of the Convention provides that the Convention does not apply to work done by persons of at least 14 years of age in undertakings. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the minimum age for apprenticeships.

The Committee notes that under section 38 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. It also takes note of the statement of the Government in its report, according to which the formulation of ministerial regulations is done in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, and that, although the advisory board is in the process of being established, in practice consultations are carried out with the social partners concerned. The Committee requests the Government to indicate if the minister has issued regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices, and if so, to supply a copy. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether the advisory board has been established and has been consulted on the ministerial regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the system of vocational or technical education, and on the conditions prescribed by the competent authorities for any work done by children and young persons as part of vocational or technical education.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee notes that section 140 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that the minister may issue regulations or directives in respect of activities concerning young employees, which is to say persons above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 years (section 3(3) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001). It seems that the legislation in force contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. The Committee nevertheless notes the statement contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (paragraph 40, under "Child labour") that the Constitution Commission had raised the point for community discussions that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours), and the type of work which should not be performed. The Committee recalls that Article 7, paragraph 4, of the Convention provides that national laws or regulations may permit persons from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that according to Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to continue providing information on the statutory regulations which would determine light work activities and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken by young persons from 12 years and above.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Keeping of registers by employers. The Committee notes that section 20 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides for the obligations of an employer, which include the keeping of a register containing the relevant particulars specified in section 10(1). Section 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation does not contain any requirement to include in the register the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are less than 18 years. The Committee recalls that Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are less than 18 years of age. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that employers are obligated to register such information, and to provide information about these measures.

Part V of the report form. Practical application of the Convention. The Committee had previously noted the information provided by the Government in its report according to which no labour inspection reports have so far referred to cases of child labour under the Convention. The Committee, nevertheless, takes note of the information contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, according to which, in the rural areas, children from about 5 years of age look after livestock and are expected to work in the fields. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in the same report, in towns many children under age work as apprentices in shops, in workshops such as garages or metal workshops, and others do domestic work or work on the streets. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including, for example, 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 violations detected involving children and young persons.

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

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its first report. The Committee would like to draw the Government’s attention to the following points.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Self-employment. The Committee notes that section 9 of the Labour Proclamation, No. 118/2001, is applicable to a contract of employment, which is defined as a written or oral contract entered into by an employee and employer, whereby the employee agrees to render services of a physical or intellectual nature to the employer, under the direction and control of the employer. The Labour Proclamation therefore appears to exclude self-employment from its application. The Committee recalls that the Convention applies not only to work under an employment contract but to all types of work or employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report any measures taken or envisaged to ensure the application of the Convention to all types of work outside an employment relationship, such as self-employment.

Article 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Compulsory education. The Committee notes that the minimum age for admission to employment or work specified by the Government when ratifying the Convention is 14 years. It also notes that according to section 68(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minimum age for admission to employment in Eritrea is 14 years. The Committee recalls that the Convention provides that the minimum age specified for admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee notes that section 13.1.2(a) of the Macro-Policy dated November 1994, established by the Government and submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provides that universal primary education up to seven years will gradually be made available to all, but that it does not refer to the compulsory nature of education. The Committee notes, from this report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, that primary education has not yet been made compulsory. The Committee considers that the requirement of Article 2(3) of the Convention is fulfilled since the minimum age for employment is not less than the age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee nevertheless considers that it is important that a country which does not have a system of compulsory education should take urgent steps to fill this gap. Indeed, the Committee is of the view that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour and that is important to emphasize the necessity of linking the age of admission to employment to the age limit for compulsory education. If the two ages do not coincide, various problems may arise. If compulsory schooling comes to an end before the young persons are legally entitled to work, there may be an enforced period of idleness [see ILO: Minimum age, General Survey of the reports relating to Convention No. 138 and Recommendation No. 146 concerning minimum age, Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, Report III (Part 4(B)), ILC, 67th Session, Geneva, 1981, para. 140]. The Committee therefore considers it desirable to ensure compulsory education up to the minimum age for employment, as provided under Paragraph 4 of Recommendation No. 146. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to continue providing information on progress made in establishing a compulsory primary education system.

Article 3, paragraph 1. Minimum age for hazardous work. The Committee notes that section 9(2) of the Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that no contract of employment shall be enforceable against a person below the age of 18, if it is determined to be prejudicial to the interests of that person. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention according to which the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that a person below 18 years cannot occupy a job which jeopardizes his or her health, safety or morals.

Article 3, paragraph 2. Determination of hazardous work. The Committee also notes that under section 69(1) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may, by regulation, issue a list of activities prohibited to young employees, including apprentices, which shall in particular include work in docksides and warehouses involving heavy weight lifting, work connected with toxic chemicals, dangerous machines, underground work, work in sewers and digging tunnels, etc. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether any regulation containing a list of hazardous activities has been issued by the minister, as required by Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. If so, it asks the Government to communicate the list of the types of hazardous work and to indicate whether workers’ and employers’ organizations have been previously consulted for the determination of such work.

Article 6. The Committee notes that section 3(9) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that a contract of apprenticeship means a contract whereby an apprentice renders services to an employer while acquiring a special skill and receiving an agreed amount of pocket money. It also notes that under section 33 of the same Labour Proclamation, a contract of apprenticeship shall be in writing and shall include at least: the vocational training an apprentice will get; the duration of apprenticeship; and whether pocket money is to be paid to an apprentice. The Committee recalls that Article 6 of the Convention provides that the Convention does not apply to work done by persons of at least 14 years of age in undertakings. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the minimum age for apprenticeships.

The Committee notes that under section 38 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001, the minister may issue regulations to supervise the conditions of training of apprentices. It also takes note of the statement of the Government in its report, according to which the formulation of ministerial regulations is done in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, and that, although the advisory board is in the process of being established, in practice consultations are carried out with the social partners concerned. The Committee requests the Government to indicate if the minister has issued regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices, and if so, to supply a copy. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether the advisory board has been established and has been consulted on the ministerial regulations concerning the working conditions of apprentices.

The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the system of vocational or technical education, and on the conditions prescribed by the competent authorities for any work done by children and young persons as part of vocational or technical education.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee notes that section 140 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides that the minister may issue regulations or directives in respect of activities concerning young employees, which is to say persons above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 years (section 3(3) of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001). It seems that the legislation in force contains no exception for light work for children below the minimum age of 14 years. The Committee nevertheless notes the statement contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (paragraph 40, under "Child labour") that the Constitution Commission had raised the point for community discussions that there should be statutory regulations on how many hours children work (light work and after school hours), and the type of work which should not be performed. The Committee recalls that Article 7, paragraph 4, of the Convention provides that national laws or regulations may permit persons from the age of 12 to engage in light work, which is: (a) not likely to be harmful to their health or development; and (b) not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction received. The Committee also recalls that according to Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine what is light work and shall prescribe the number of hours during which, and the conditions in which, such employment or work may be undertaken. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to continue providing information on the statutory regulations which would determine light work activities and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken by young persons from 12 years and above.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Registers. The Committee notes that section 20 of Labour Proclamation No. 118/2001 provides for the obligations of an employer, which include the keeping of a register containing the relevant particulars specified in section 10(1). Section 10(1) of the Labour Proclamation does not contain any requirement to include in the register the names and ages or dates of birth of persons employed who are less than 18 years. The Committee recalls that Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention requires national laws or regulations or the competent authority to prescribe the registers or other documents which shall be kept and made available by the employer, and that such registers shall contain the names and ages or dates of birth, duly certified wherever possible, of persons whom he/she employs or who work for him/her and who are less than 18 years of age. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that employers are obligated to register such information, and to provide information about these measures.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report according to which no labour inspection reports have so far referred to cases of child labour under the Convention. The Committee, nevertheless, takes note of the information contained in the initial report of Eritrea submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, according to which, in the rural areas, children from about 5 years of age look after livestock and are expected to work in the fields. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in the same report, in towns many children under age work as apprentices in shops, in workshops such as garages or metal workshops, and others do domestic work or work on the streets. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including, for example, 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 violations detected involving children and young persons.