Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Sweden (Ratification: 1990)

The Committee notes the Government's reports for the period up to June 1996, and for the maritime sector for the period up to June 1994.

Article 3 of the Convention. As regards the protection of persons under 18 years from work which is likely to jeopardize their morals, the Committee notes the Government again refers to section 2 of the Ordinance on Minors at Work (AFS 1990:19) which sets forth the duty of the person engaging a minor to select the minor's duties with care so as to prevent all harmful effects on health and development, as well as to the protection under the Ordinances of the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health entitled Violence and Menaces in the Working Environment (AFS 1993:2), and Victimization at Work (AFS 1993:17), which also stipulates the employer's duty to take action for the prevention of relevant incidents, and Solitary Work (AFS 1982:3). The Committee recalls that under Article 3(2) of the Convention, the types of employment or work covered by Article 3(1), i.e. employment or work which is likely to jeopardize not only the health or safety but also morals of young persons, should be determined by legislation or by the competent authority after consultation with the employers' and workers' organizations. It requests the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged in this respect.

The Committee has noted the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous request concerning the consultation made with employers' and workers' organizations regarding the existing Ordinances.

Article 9(1). The Committee notes the Government's explanation of the role of safety delegates, who are the employees' representatives at the workplace in ensuring internal control of compliance with the special rules applying to minors. It requests the Government to include in its future reports any example of the functioning of the safety delegates in so far as it relates to the application of the Convention.

Article 9(3). The Committee notes the Government's indication that every employer is expected to have a list of the employees through a reporting duty to the tax authority, containing data on their age in the form of a national registration number. It asks the Government to state if an employer is allowed to make such information available to other authorities, for instance, the labour inspectorate for the purpose of controlling the implementation of the minimum age for employment.

Point V of the report form. The Committee notes the detailed analysis of the number of young workers signed on in merchant ships. It hopes the Government will provide information on the practical application of the Convention in other sectors, including information on the number and nature of contraventions reported and penalties imposed.