Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 1998, publiée 87ème session CIT (1999)

Convention (n° 59) (révisée) de l'âge minimum (industrie), 1937 - Liban (Ratification: 1977)

Further to its previous direct request, the Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report, as well as Act No. 536 dated 24 July 1996 which amended the Labour Code.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest that section 23 of the new Labour Code prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15 years in industrial undertakings in conformity with this provision of the Convention.

Article 2, paragraph 2. The Committee notes the Government's indication that although family undertakings are not subject to the provisions of the Labour Code, they are subject, concerning measures of protection, to the general provisions of Legislative Decree No. 21/1932 concerning Dangerous Establishments, Harmful to the Workers' Health, and the provisions of the Law of Contracts. It also notes that the supervision of the application of all these provisions remain within the competence of the Labour Inspection, Protection and Safety System at the Ministry of Labour under section 3 of Decree No. 14900, dated 2 May 1949. The Committee asks the Government to supply information on the practical application of these provisions to family undertakings.

Article 3. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Decree No. 11019 of 7 October 1968, which allows occupational training with individual employers from the age of 12 years, was not in conformity with this provision of the Convention which provides for the exception only regarding technical schools approved and supervised by public authority. The Committee notes the Government's statement that Decree No. 11019 was not applied in practice and that no training course was organized by the Ministry of Labour according to the provisions of this Decree. It also notes the Government's indication that the Government is in the course of revising its national laws, including Decree No. 11019, to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to supply information on any progress in this respect as well as to supply a copy of Decree No. 11019, which the Government's report states was attached to the report, but has not been received by the Office.

Article 5. The Committee notes that section 23 of the new Labour Code prohibits the employment of young persons under the age of 16 years in jobs which are, by their nature and conditions in which they are carried out, dangerous to the life, health or morals of the persons concerned. It also notes that, according to the Government's report, a draft decree to define the employment which is prohibited under this provision was prepared and submitted to the competent authority for examination and decision. The Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on progress made in this regard.

Point V of the report form. The Committee notes the Government's statement that the provisions of section 3, paragraph 1, of Decree No. 14900 was amended to entrust labour inspectors with the application of all laws, decrees, regulations related to labour including the provisions of international labour Conventions ratified by the Government. It asks the Government to provide information on the practical application of the legislation giving effect to the Convention, including, for instance, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, school attendance rate, and information concerning the number and nature of the contraventions reported.