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

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

Article 3(3) of the Convention. Authorisation of employment in hazardous work as of the age of 16 years. The Committee notes ministerial directive No. DGT/CT1/DGEFP/DPJJ/DGESCO/DGCS/DGERDAFSL/2016/273 of 7 September 2016 regarding the implementation of derogations to prohibitions of work for young persons aged at least 15 years and less than 18 years, appended to the Government’s report. The Committee notes that the ministerial directive specifies that: (1) to simplify the derogation of prohibitions for young persons aged less than 18 years to perform hazardous work, the regulations concerning the protection of young workers was significantly modified by Decrees Nos 2013-914 and 2013-915 of 11 October 2013; and (2) henceforth, young workers and workers undertaking vocational training may, as from the age of 15 years, by derogation and under the supervision of the labour inspection service, be assigned certain work, referred to as “regulated work”, under the conditions provided in section L.4153-9 of the Labour Code and defined in sections R.4153-38 to R.4153-52.

The Committee notes that section R.4153-40 of the Labour Code contains provisions relative to the safety, training and supervision criteria to be fulfilled to allow young persons to perform hazardous work. However, the Committee recalls that Article 3(3) of the Convention allows an exception to the prohibition of hazardous work for young persons solely as from the age of 16 years on condition 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. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that only young persons from at least the age of 16 years are authorized to perform such work, in conformity with Article 3(3) of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction the information communicated by the Government in its report. It notes with interest the adoption of Decree No. 2003-812 of 26 August 2003, which defines the arrangements for work placements for pupils under 16 years of age in general education and for pupils following a sandwich system or vocational education. The Committee also notes the amendment to section L.212-13 of the Labour Code by the adoption of the Ordinance of 4 May 2004 amending the maximum daily hours of work for young people below the age of 18 from seven to eight hours, without changing the maximum weekly hours of work from 35 hours, in order to meet practical concerns noted in enterprises. It notes moreover that the eight-hour maximum length of working day also conforms to the requirements of European Council Directive 94/33/EC on the protection of young people at work.

Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. Minimum age in the maritime sector. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the detailed information communicated by the Government concerning the minimum age in the maritime sector. The decree provided for by section 117 of the Maritime Labour Code to adapt the provisions of the Labour Code on apprenticeships to the maritime sector, with regard to the application of Chapter II of the Maritime Labour Code concerning the "provisions applicable to seafarers under 18 years of age", is being prepared. The Committee also notes that Ordinance No. 2004-691 of 12 July 2004 "concerning various provisions for the adaptation of Community law in the field of transport" supplements certain provisions of Chapter II of the Maritime Labour Code. The Committee notes in particular that the conditions for the training of young people are enhanced, whatever their status aboard ship (Articles of Agreement or young trainees), and their hours of rest, in particular weekly hours of rest, are increased. The Committee notes with satisfaction that although the minimum age of young seafarers was already subject to regulation, the legislative and regulatory amendments in progress are bound to enhance the protection of young people employed in the maritime sector, in particular by stipulating their conditions of work and employment aboard ship.

Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2. Enterprises involving artistic performances and modelling agencies. The Committee noted previously that the conditions and hours of work of child models working for agencies holding a licence, as defined by regulations, are protective. The Committee asked the Government to provide information concerning the practical application of these provisions. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction the Government’s statement in its report that the inspection services observed no infringements with regard to the employment of child models for 2003. It also notes with interest that the Act of 2 January 2004 concerning arrangements and protection for children has stiffened the penalties incurred for contraventions of the rules governing the work of children in itinerant professions and the hours of work in modelling. In particular, penalties have been made more stringent for the unauthorized employment of a child in an enterprise involving artistic performances or in modelling, or for the concealed employment of a young person under the age of 16 years. In the event of a contravention, employers are liable to five years’ imprisonment and a 75,000 euro fine.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports in reply to its previous observation. It notes with interest the adoption of Ordinance No. 2001-174 of 22 February 2001 transposing into national law European Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work, as well as the adoption of Decree No. 2002-789 of 3 May 2002, reducing the hours of work of young persons of under 16 years of age carrying out light work during school holidays. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the following points.

Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. Minimum age in the maritime sector. The Committee noted in previous comments that new section 8 of the Maritime Labour Code, amended by Act No. 97-1051 of 18 November 1997, extends the provisions of the Labour Code respecting the apprenticeship of young seafarers aboard ship, and that these provisions to be adopted by decree of the Council of State would facilitate the recruitment of young seafarers. It requested the Government to indicate whether the above decree had already been adopted and, if so, to provide a copy with its next report and to continue supplying information on the application in practice of the minimum age in the maritime sector. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report according to which the above decree has not yet been adopted. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the minimum age in the maritime sector, and to supply a copy of the decree when it has been adopted by the Council of State.

Minimum age for domestic employees. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on cases of children aged between 14 and 16 years illegally employed as domestic workers and on the measures taken to ensure the application of the relevant provisions of the Convention. In its report, the Government indicates that the national collective agreement of workers employed by private individuals of 24 November 1999, extended by the Order of 2 March 2000, contains a number of provisions in section 24 respecting young workers. It provides, among other measures, that young workers between 14 and 16 years of age may only be engaged for half of their school holidays, and only in light work. The Committee takes due note of this information.

Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2. Enterprises involving artistic performances and modelling agencies. The Committee noted in its previous comments that, under the terms of section L.211-6 of the Labour Code, children under the age of 16 years may not be engaged, without prior individual authorization, to participate in activities such as artistic performances. Section L.211-6(2) of the Labour Code provides that an individual permit shall also be required for children engaged or offered by an individual or an association to work as a model. The Committee noted that the procedure for obtaining individual permits, set out in section L.211-7 of the Labour Code, is such as to guarantee the conditions of employment of young persons in this sector. However, the Committee noted that section L.211-6(3) of the Labour Code explicitly provides that the individual permit is not required where the child is engaged by a modelling agency holding the license envisaged in section L.763-3 of the Labour Code and which has obtained approval enabling it to engage children. In this respect, it requested the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged to bring the national text into conformity with the obligations set out in Article 8 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report of 2001 according to which the strict requirement of prior individual authorization is tantamount to abolishing the specific system of child modelling agencies. The Government specifies in its report that in its view the system functions by guaranteeing the protection of children and that abolishing the system of child modelling agencies would result in a considerable overload of applications to the administration, without however improving the protection of those concerned. The Committee notes in effect that the conditions and hours of work of child models working for agencies which have obtained the license, as set out by regulations are, in practice, protective. In particular, section R.211-6-1 of the Labour Code specifies that the application for approval shall include a declaration in which the agency undertakes that the child will undergo a medical examination at the expense of the agency, and that such examination shall show whether, taking account the age and state of health of the child, the latter is capable of working as a model without jeopardizing her or his health or development. This examination shall be renewed at intervals which depend on the age of the child and, where the medical opinion is negative, the child may not be engaged. Furthermore, the Committee notes that, under the terms of sections R.211-12-1, R.211-12-2 and R.211-12-3 of the Labour Code, the employment of a child working as a model and prior selection with a view to such an activity are only authorized for a limited period of time, depending on the age of the child. Moreover, where the child is in school, employment is only authorized on rest days and half days other than Sunday; and that, during school holidays, work by the child is only permitted for half of the holidays and in accordance with a maximum number of daily and weekly working hours. The Committee also notes that section L.213-7 of the Labour Code prohibits any derogation from the prohibition of night work for young persons under 16 years of age, except for those referred to in the first subsection of section L.211-6 of the Labour Code, that is children under 16 years of age, who may not be engaged by an enterprise involved in performances, cinema, etc., without an individual permit. Finally, the Committee notes that section R.211-13 of the Labour Code provides that an agency that has obtained approval shall issue to the child whom it is seeking to engage or to the latter’s legal representatives, as confirmed by a receipt, an explanatory note indicating the requirements, among others, for the medical supervision of the child, the duration of travel and waiting periods, maximum hours of employment and remuneration conditions. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the application of these provisions in practice, including statistics on the employment of children and young persons in modelling agencies, the number of such agencies and the duration of the approvals, extracts from the reports of the inspection services and information on the number and nature of the contraventions reported.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government’s reports in reply to its previous observation.

Minimum age in the maritime sector.  The Committee notes section 114 of the Maritime Labour Code (modified by Act No. 97-1051 of 18 November 1997) which provides that seafarers under 18 years of age should not work on boilers, water tanks, holds or in compartments where high temperature can be harmful to their health, as well as section 115 which sets the minimum age for working on board ship at 16 years of age. The Committee notes that new section 8 of the Maritime Labour Code expands the provisions of the General Labour Code regarding the apprenticeship of young seafarers. It further notes that these provisions will be adapted by a decree of the Council of State to facilitate the recruitment of young seafarers. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether this decree has already been adopted and, if so, to forward a copy of it with the next report.

The Committee notes the statistics provided concerning young seafarers employed on board ship. It asks the Government to continue to supply information on the practical application of the minimum age in the maritime sector.

Minimum age for domestic employees.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the employment of children from 14 to 16 years of age as domestic workers is extremely rare. Such cases are considered as illegal employment and are dealt with as such. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning such cases as well as the measures taken to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of the Convention.

Enterprises involving artistic performances and modelling agencies.  The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report concerning a special committee which considers applications for individual authorizations for participation in performances or issues approvals to agencies holding licences allowing them to engage children without individual authorization. It notes that this committee, the sessions of which are attended by the different administrations concerned, works in most of the departments where its functions, in particular the frequency of meetings, are practically determined in accordance with the importance and the frequency of the cultural appearances which needs to employ children. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that this measure provided for by section L.211-7 of the Labour Code and rules which provide for the function of the committees guarantee the conditions of employment for the children in this field. However, it again recalls that Article 8 of the Convention allows exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work provided for in Article 2, for such purposes as participation in artistic performances only when the competent authority grants an individual permit which prescribes the conditions in which employment or work is allowed. The Committee also recalls that ratification of a Convention entails the enactment of texts to give effect to the provisions of the instrument. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to bring national texts into conformity with the aforementioned obligations under the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Further to its earlier comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report. It requests the Government to supply additional information on the following points.

Minimum age in the maritime sector. Further to its earlier comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction the amendment to section 115 of the Maritime Labour Code (Act No. 97-1051 of 18 November 1997), which raised the minimum age for working on board ship to 16 years, as opposed to 15 years previously. This provision gives effect in law to Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, under which the minimum age of 16 years has been specified. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the practical application of this minimum age in the maritime sector.

Minimum age in agriculture and for domestic employees. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report to the effect that Decree No. 97-370 of 14 April 1997 respecting conditions of employment of young agricultural workers is too recent to allow of an assessment of its application in practice or any conclusions to be drawn. The Committee notes, however, the Government's intention to carry out a statistical survey in this area and requests the Government to indicate the results of the survey once it has been carried out.

The Committee also notes the Government's information in its report to the effect that employment of children aged between 14 and 16 years as domestic employees appears to be exceptional, according to information supplied by various departmental labour, employment and vocational training authorities. Given that domestic employees were mentioned specifically as being an area of concern by the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) in its comments in 1996 on the application of the Convention, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the practice of employing young persons as domestic workers.

Enterprises involving artistic performances and modelling agencies. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the observations of the CFDT according to which the granting of individual authorizations for participation in a performance and of approvals to modelling agencies holding licences allowing them to engage children without individual authorization is dependent on the affirmative opinion of Departmental Councils for the Protection of Children, but that these councils are not very active, except in the Parisian region. Furthermore, these councils do not permit employers' and workers' organizations to be consulted since they are composed of officials and judges.

The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report to the effect that the committees established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children, which consider applications for individual authorizations for participation in performances or issue approvals to modelling agencies holding licences allowing them to engage children without individual authorization, are active in all the country's departments, contrary to the comments of the CFDT. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report more detailed information on the activities of these committees.

The Committee also notes the following arguments put forward by the Government: (i) consultation of employers' and workers' organizations would not guarantee better protection of children, since the members of the committees are professionals in this area; (ii) the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the protection of children employed by modelling agencies holding licences allowing them to employ children without individual authorization.

The Committee must once again draw attention to the fact that, under Article 8 of the Convention, exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work under Article 2 are permitted for the participation of children in activities such as artistic performances only under precise conditions, namely: (i) the employers' and workers' organizations concerned must be consulted beforehand; and (ii) the competent authority must issue an individual authorization setting out the conditions of employment and restricting the number of hours that may be worked. The Committee notes that the Government's arguments referred to above put in doubt the two conditions specified by the Convention, namely consultation and the individual nature of the authorization given.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which employers' and workers' organizations have been consulted, not only with regard to the general provisions relating to the employment of children, as the Government stated in its previous report, but also with regard to the conditions for the granting of individual work and employment authorizations by the competent authorities, in derogation of Article 2 of the Convention.

The Committee also requests the Government to indicate measures that have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that the exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work by persons below the minimum age can be granted only in individual cases, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 1.

Undeclared work. The Committee takes note of Act No. 97-210 of 11 March 1997 respecting more effective measures against illegal employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of this Act in practice with regard to the employment of children.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its report that employers' and workers' organizations were consulted to determine the maximum weight which can be carried by children aged under 16 pursuant to section R.234-6 of the Labour Code.

Point V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the application of the Convention in practice including, for example, statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts from the reports of inspection services and on contraventions reported.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report concerning the comments made by the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) in 1996. According to the CFDT, although the labour regulations respecting young workers are protective in global terms, certain occupations and activities are not covered by the general regulations or offer possibilities for derogations that are too broad, especially in agriculture and for domestic employees.

Minimum age in agriculture and for domestic employees

The Committee notes with interest that section 5 of Decree No. 97-370 of 14 April 1997 concerning conditions of employment of young agricultural workers regulates conditions of employment of the family of the farmer, who are aged under 16, taking into consideration school attendance of the child or young person. It also notes that the employment of young people over the age of 14 who are still subject to compulsory education is permitted during school holiday periods (section 3, I), for light work only (section 3, III).

The Committee notes that by virtue of section 36 of the National Collective Convention for Domestic Employees of 3 June 1980 (extended by Order of 26 May 1982), the employment of young people between 14 and 16 years old is prohibited, except during school holiday periods.

The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the application in practice of these minimum ages.

Enterprises engaging in artistic performances and modelling agencies

In its comments, the CFDT indicates that the grant of individual authorizations for participation in a performance, and of approvals to modelling agencies holding a licence allowing them to engage children without individual authorizations, is dependent on the affirmative opinion of the Departmental Councils for the Protection of Children but that these Councils are not very active, except in the Parisian region. Furthermore, these Councils do not permit employers' and workers' organizations to be consulted since they are composed of officials and judges.

The Committee recalls that Article 8 of the Convention allows exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work provided for in Article 2, for such purposes as participation in artistic performances, on specific conditions: first, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned; and secondly, delivery by the competent authority of an individual permit which prescribes the conditions in which such employment or work is allowed and limits the number of hours.

1. In regard to consultation, the Committee notes the Government's statement that organizations of employers and workers were consulted before the adoption of these provisions relating to children's employment. The Committee observes that the consultation provided in Article 8 of the Convention does not apply to the general provisions relating to children's employment as stated by the Government in its report but to the conditions for the grant of individual work or employment permits by the competent authorities in derogation of Article 2 of the Convention. It recalls that individual authorizations for participation in a performance, or approvals to modelling agencies are granted by the Prefect on the advice of a committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children. It notes that the Departmental Councils for the Protection of Children, the composition of which is established in sections R.211-3 and R.211- 4 of the Labour Code, do not include representatives of the employers' and workers' organizations concerned.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure that exceptions to the prohibition of employment or work by persons not having yet reached the minimum age may be granted only in individual cases and after consultation with the employers' and workers' organizations concerned, in compliance with Article 8, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2. In regard to the individual nature of the prior authorization, the Committee notes that under section L.211-6, 3, of the Labour Code, individual authorization is required only when the child is employed by a modelling agency holding a licence issued under section L.763-3 of the Labour Code and which has obtained from the Prefect a licence allowing it to engage children on the affirmative opinion of the committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Convention on this point.

Undeclared work

The CFDT also states that the deterioration of the employment situation of adults has been accompanied by a significant increase in work by young children in undeclared activities: the distribution of publicity as a family activity, street hawking (lilies of the valley, daffodils), "service" activities (cleaning windscreens), etc.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or contemplated to ensure that these activities are not undertaken by children under 16 years old, in conditions contrary to those laid down by the Convention.

Minimum age in the maritime sector

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report on the application of the Convention in the maritime sector. It notes in particular that a draft revision of the Maritime Labour Code, of which section 115 establishes a minimum age of 15 years, is at present before Parliament and should be finally adopted in the autumn of 1997 to raise the minimum age for work on board ship to 16 years. Recalling that the minimum age of 16 years was specified at the time of the ratification of the Convention, under the terms of Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Committee trusts that this draft will be adopted as soon as possible.

[The Government is asked to provide a detailed report in 1998.]

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

Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes that under section L.200-1, in conjunction with section L.772-2 of the Labour Code, the prohibition to employ children who have not completed their compulsory education does not include domestic workers.

Furthermore, under section L.211-1 of the Labour Code, in conjunction with the provisions of section L.200-1, and section 2 of the Order of 3 December 1970 respecting the age of admission to agricultural work, the prohibition upon the employment of children who have not duly completed compulsory education does not apply to family enterprises, including agricultural enterprises. The Committee understands that the Government has not excluded from the scope of the Convention the above categories of employment or work under the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that the national legislation is in conformity with the Convention on this point.

Article 3, paragraph 2. The Committee recalls that under section R.234-6 of the Labour Code, children under 16 years of age may be caused to carry loads of up to a prescribed weight between 8 and 20 kilograms, according to their age and sex. It requests the Government to indicate whether the employers' and workers' organizations were consulted in determining these limits in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2 of the Convention.

Article 8, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that authorizations in individual cases to employ a child of under 16 years of age in artistic performances are granted by the Prefect on the advice of a committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children, the composition of which is established in section R.211-3 and R.211-4 of the Labour Code. The departmental committee is composed of officials and magistrates.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the prior consultation of the organizations of employers and workers concerned is ensured, as required by this Article of the Convention.

Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2. The Committee notes that, under section L.211-6(3) of the Labour Code, permits in individual cases are not required for the employment of a child by a model agency which holds the licence established under section L.763-3 of the Labour Code and which has obtained from the Prefect approval for the employment of children following the advice of the committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children (section L.211-7).

The Committee recalls that the Convention provides for authorization to participate in such activities only in individual cases in order to be able, among other matters, to limit the working hours and the length of employment, as well as to prescribe specific conditions in the interest of each child. It requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to given effect to this provision of the Convention.

Point V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, particularly in agriculture and in family enterprises.

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

The Committee notes the comments made by the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) on the application of the Convention and on the Government's reply to the Committee's previous comments. It notes that the Government has not commented on these observations.

The CFDT considers that, although the labour regulations respecting young workers are protective in global terms, certain occupations and activities are not covered by the general regulations or offer possibilities for derogations that are too broad:

- domestic employees are covered by Book VII of the Labour Code, which does not contain any provisions respecting minimum age, and are excluded from the provisions of Book I respecting minimum age;

- the children of farmers can work from 12 years of age under the surveillance of their parents;

- in the case of enterprises engaging in artistic performances and modelling agencies, the delivery of individual authorizations for participation in a performance, or of approvals to modelling agencies holding a licence allowing them to engage children without individual authorizations, are dependent on the affirmative opinion of the departmental councils for the protection of children. These councils are not very active, except in the Parisian region. Furthermore, these Councils, which are composed of officials and magistrates, do not permit the consultation of organizations of employers and workers, as provided for by the Convention. The Committee recalls that these points were raised in its previous direct request, to which the Government has not replied.

The CFDT also states that the deterioration of the employment situation of adults has been accompanied by a significant increase in work by young children in undeclared activities: the distribution of publicity as a family activity, street hawking (lilies of the valley, daffodils), "service" activities (cleaning windscreens), etc.

The Committee requests the Government to supply full information on the observations made by the CFDT and on the matters raised in the request that is being addressed directly to the Government.

Minimum age in the maritime sector

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government on the application of the Convention in the maritime sector. It notes in particular the Government's intention of revising, among other provisions, section 115 of the Maritime Labour Code, which establishes a minimum age of 15 years, in order to raise the minimum age for work on board ship to 16 years.

Recalling that the minimum age of 16 years was specified at the time of the ratification of the Convention, under the terms of Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken to bring its legislation into conformity with the obligations deriving from the Convention on this point.

[The Government is asked to provide a detailed report in 1997.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's first report. It would be grateful if the Government would supply further information on the following points:

Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes that under section L.200-1, in conjunction with section L.772-2 of the Labour Code, the prohibition to employ children who have not completed their compulsory education does not include domestic workers.

Furthermore, under section L.211-1 of the Labour Code, in conjunction with the provisions of section L.200-1, and section 2 of the Order of 3 December 1970 respecting the age of admission to agricultural work, the prohibition upon the employment of children who have not duly completed compulsory education does not apply to family enterprises, including agricutural enterprises. The Committee understands that the Government has not excluded from the scope of the Convention the above categories of employment or work under the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that the national legislation is in conformity with the Convention on this point.

Article 3, paragraph 3. The Committee notes that under section R.234-6 of the Labour Code, children under 16 years of age may be caused to carry, drag or push loads between eight and 20 kilograms, according to their age and sex. It recalls that in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention, national laws or regulations may, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, authorize employment or work as from the age of 16 years in types of employment or work which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to jeopardize the health of young persons, on condition that the health of the young persons concerned is fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training in the relevant branch of activity.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that children of under 16 years of age are not caused to carry out work, such as that covered by section 234-6 of the Labour Code, which is likely to jeopardize their health. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that the health of young persons of 16 to 18 years of age who perform such work is fully protected and that they receive or have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training.

Article 8, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that permits in individual cases to employ a child of under 16 years of age in artistic performances are granted by the Prefect on the advice of a committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children, the composition of which is established in sections R.211-3 and R.211-4 of the Labour Code. The departmental committee is composed of officials and magistrates.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the prior consultation of the organizations of employers and workers concerned is ensured, as required by this Article of the Convention.

Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2. The Committee notes that, under section L.211-6(3) of the Labour Code, permits in individual cases are not required for the employment of a child by a model agency which holds the licence established under section L.763-3 of the Labour Code and which has obtained from the Prefect approval for the employment of children following the advice of the committee established under the Departmental Council for the Protection of Children (section L.211-7).

The Committee recalls that the Convention provides for authorization to participate in such activities only in individual cases in order to be able, among other matters, to limit the working hours and the length of employment, as well as to prescribe specific conditions in the interest of each child. It requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to give effect to this provision of the Convention.

Point IV of the report form. Please supply information on decisions by judicial bodies which may be related to the application of the Convention.

Point V. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, particularly in agriculture and in family enterprises.

Point VI. Please indicate whether the reports have been forwarded to the French National Employers' Council (CNPF).