Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

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

Article 2(3) of the Convention. Age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee previously noted that the Education Sector Policy of 2003 provided for the progressive extension of compulsory education from 6 to 9 years, bringing the age of completion of compulsory schooling to 16 years, in line with the minimum age for admission to employment or work. It notes the recent adoption of the Law determining Organization of Education (No. 10/2021), which provides for free and compulsory primary education (up to 12 years of age) (section 57) but does not specify that lower secondary education (up to 16 years) shall also be compulsory. Recalling that compulsory education is one of the most effective means of combating child labour, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps, including through legislative amendments to Law No. 10/2021, to make education compulsory until the minimum age for admission to employment or work, namely 16 years. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to this end.

Article 7(1) and (3). Light work and determination of light work activities. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s information on the adoption of Ministerial Order No. 02/MIFOTRA/23 of 1 August 2023 on occupational health and safety. It notes that section 39 of the Order provides that: (1) a child aged 13 to 15 years is authorized to perform light work activities referred to in Annex 2 of the Order; (2) light work activities must not exceed six hours per day; and (3) a child may only perform light work under the supervision of an adult. The Committee is of the view that work consisting of up to six hours per day, as allowed by Ministerial Order No. 02/MIFOTRA/23, does not constitute light work. In this regard, the Committee once again recalls that, according to Paragraph 13(b) of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), in giving effect to Article 7(3) of the Convention, special attention should be given to the strict limitation of the hours spent at work in a day and in a week, and the prohibition of overtime, so as to allow enough time for education and training, for rest during the day and for leisure activities. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to determine a number of hours which constitutes light work that does not prejudice school attendance, in line with Article 7(1) and (3) of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to this end, including through the amendment of section 39 of Ministerial Order No. 02/MIFOTRA/23.

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