Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

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

The Committee notes the Government's second report, and requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. With regard to the measures taken to prohibit, apart from formal employment, any kind of work of children, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government, including the indication of an increased effort for vocational training of school drop-outs, with emphasis on the awareness-raising during workers' education sessions and training sessions on occupational safety and health. It requests the Government to continue to indicate measures taken or envisaged in this regard. The Committee in particular notes the information on the school-leaving age which is at present 13 years, and that it is proposed by the Master Plan of Education to extend compulsory education for children up to the age of 16 years. It requests the Government to report any development in this respect, including the actual availability of facilities.

Article 3. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to the previous direct request concerning the consultations that took place regarding the Field Crop and Orchard Workers Regulations and the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act.

As regards the lower age limit for work on board ship, the Committee notes the Government's indication that section 7(2)(c) of the Labour Act has been deleted. It notes that under section 49 of the Merchant Shipping Act, persons under the age of 18 are allowed to work on board ship if the written consent of the parent or guardian is obtained, and that the only particular work prohibited to persons under 18 is that in the engine room (with the exception of an apprentice working under supervision). The Committee notes, however, that the contract of apprenticeship cannot be signed unless the apprentice has attained the age of 16 under section 44 of the Act. It requests the Government to clarify the minimum age for admission to work on board ship other than under an apprenticeship contract. The Committee would also draw the Government's attention to the requirement under Article 3(2) of the Convention to consult the employers' and workers' organizations when determining the types of employment or work which may jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons.

The Committee notes the Government's indication that consideration will be given to amend section 28 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act so as to bring it into line with Article 3(3). It asks the Government to indicate any progress made.

Article 9(3). The Committee notes the Government's indication that the Labour Act of 1975 is under review and that opportunity will be taken to bring its sections 48 and 49 into line with Article 9(3). It asks the Government to report on progress made.