Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Lao People's Democratic Republic (Ratification: 2005)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the new National Action Plan on Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour is in the process of being submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

The Committee notes the publication of the 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) by UNICEF and the Lao Statistics Bureau, which indicates that, for 2023: (1) the rate of child labour among children aged 5 to 17 years was 23 per cent; (2) 26 per cent of children in rural areas are in child labour compared with 16 per cent for children in urban areas; and (3) 21 per cent of children were working under hazardous conditions, such as under extreme cold, heat or humidity (12 per cent), working with dangerous tools or heavy machinery (11 per cent) or carrying heavy loads (10 per cent).

While the Committee takes note of the decrease in child labour (which stood at 41.5 per cent in 2017), it notes that the number of children engaged in child labour in the country remains high. The Committee therefore requests the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure the progressive elimination of child labour, including in hazardous work and in rural areas. It requests the Government to provide: (i) detailed information on the measures taken in this regard and on the results achieved; and (ii) a copy of the updated National Action Plan, once adopted, and information on its implementation. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing updated statistical data on the nature, extent and trends of child labour in the country.

Article 2(1). Scope of application and labour inspection. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is planning to adopt a new Decree on Labour Inspection to further enhance the role, rights and duties of labour inspectors. However, the Committee notes the absence of information provided on the activities of the Labour Inspectorate. Noting that the rate of child labour in the country remains high, including in hazardous work, the Committee once again requests the Government to strengthen its efforts, without delay, to adapt and reinforce the capacities of the labour inspection services so that they can adequately monitor and detect cases of child labour, in the formal and informal economy. It requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard, and the results achieved, including by providing extracts from labour inspection reports and by indicating the number and nature of violations detected and the penalties imposed.

Article 3(3). Admission to hazardous types of work from the age of 16 years. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that Decision No. 4182/MOLSW of 2018 on the List of Hazardous Works for Young Persons was replaced by Decision No. 4677/MOLSW, dated 12 December 2023. However, it notes with concern that Decision No. 4677/MOLSW establishes 15 years (instead of 16 years) as the age at which it is possible for young persons to engage in hazardous work, provided they receive sufficient training, technical guidance, instructions and safety tools. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to Article 3(3) of the Convention, this exemption is only permitted for young persons from 16 years of age, provided that their health, safety and morals are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training in the relevant branch of activity. Therefore, the Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention, by ensuring that children under 16 years of age may not, under any circumstances, be authorized to perform hazardous work. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in amending Decision No. 4677/MOLSW of 2023 to this effect.

Article 6. Vocational training and apprenticeship. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it adopted the Law on Vocational Education (Amended) No. 63/NA, dated 12 June 2019, which provides that all vocational learners, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, physical condition, economic status, place of residence and social status, have equality in learning or training, researching and using technology to develop themselves and serve society (section 60). However, the Committee notes that the Government does not specify if the amended law also sets a minimum age for admission to apprenticeships of at least 14 years, in conformity with Article 6 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate if the new Law on Vocational Education (Amended) No. 63/NA sets the minimum age for entering into an apprenticeship programme at 14 years. It requests the Government to provide a copy of the relevant provisions, if possible, in one of the official languages of the ILO.

Article 7(3). Determination of light work activities. The Committee notes with interest that Decision No. 4677/MOLSW of 12 December 2023 sets out a list of light work activities permitted for children from the age of 12, on the condition that the work is not harmful to the child’s physical and mental health and does not affect their physical, mental, emotional and educational development.