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

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Seychelles (Ratification: 2000)

Article 3(1) and (2) of the Convention. Minimum age for admission to, and determination of, types of hazardous work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that, following the submission of the proposed amendment to the Employment Act to the Cabinet of Ministers in March 2025, consultations to revise the draft list of hazardous types of work prohibited to children under 18 years are still ongoing.

The Committee reminds the Government that Article 3(1) of the Convention provides that the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize the health, safety, or morals of young persons, shall not be less than 18 years. It also reminds the Government that, under the terms of Article 3(2) of the Convention, the types of hazardous employment or work shall be determined by national laws or regulations or by the competent authority, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned. Observing that the Convention was ratified by Seychelles 25 years ago, the Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the draft list of hazardous types of work prohibited to children under 18 years of age is adopted in the near future, in accordance with Article 3(1) and (2) of the Convention.

Article 3(3). Hazardous work as from 16 years. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that proposals establishing a minimum age of at least 16 years for exceptions to the general prohibition on hazardous work for children under 18 years, ensuring that such work fully protects their health, safety, and morals, were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in March 2025. The Government adds that these provisions will be incorporated into the Employment Bill 2025, currently under preparation. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the Employment Bill 2025 is adopted in the near future and requests the Government to ensure: (i) that this legislation establishes a minimum age of at least 16 years for any exceptions to the general prohibition of children under 18 years of age performing hazardous work; and (ii) that, in all cases, children from the age of 16 engaged in hazardous work receive adequate specific instruction or vocational training in the relevant branch of activity, and that their health, safety and morals are fully protected. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

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