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

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee repeated its request to the Government for statistical information on the nature, extent and trends of the employment of children under 14 years of age, disaggregated by sex and by age. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the Ministry of the Family, Adolescence and Childhood (MIFAM) has taken measures within families and communities to ensure children’s full development within families, without having to work. To this end, through the “Traffic light Plan” (“Plan Semáforo”), MIFAM has raised awareness in families working on their own account to reduce the time the children spend on the streets and in sectors at risk, thereby ensuring that the families enrol and keep their children in the education system.

The Committee once again notes with regret the lack of statistical information on the extent and trends of child labour in the country. Recalling the importance of having up-to-date statistical data on the nature, extent and trends of child labour to examine the application of the Convention in practice, the Committee urges the Government to provide such information in its next report. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures and programmes adopted to eradicate child labour, and their results.

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory schooling. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to match the age of completion of compulsory schooling with the minimum age for admission to employment or work, which is 14 years. The Committee deeply regrets once again noting that the Government’s report does not contain any information on the measures taken to raise the age of completion of compulsory schooling, set at 12 years, (in accordance with section 23 of the 2006 General Education Act) to at least 14 years, which is the declared minimum age for admission to employment. The Committee once again recalls that if compulsory schooling comes to an end before the age at which children are legally entitled to work, a vacuum may arise which regrettably opens the door for the economic exploitation of children (see the 2012 General Survey on the fundamental Conventions, paragraph 371). The Committee therefore reiterates the desirability of raising the age of completion of compulsory schooling so that it matches the minimum age of admission to employment. The Committee therefore urges the Government to take, without delay, the necessary measures to guarantee compulsory schooling up to the minimum age for admission to employment or work, namely 14 years.

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