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Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Cameroon (RATIFICATION: 2001)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It also notes the communication from the General Union of Cameroon Workers (UGTC) of 30 August 2006 on the application of the Convention.

Article of the Convention and Part V of the report form. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that a national plan to combat child labour had been formulated. It also noted that Cameroon is participating in the ILO/IPEC Regional Programme to Eliminate Child Labour in Cocoa Plantations in West Africa (WACAP), in which Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria are also associated. The Committee further noted that, according to ILO statistical data on Cameroon for the year 2000, some 442,000 children aged between 10 and 14 years were economically active, of whom 241,000 were boys and 201,000 were girls. Furthermore, in its concluding observations on the initial report of Cameroon (CRC/C/15/Add.164, paragraph 58), the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed deep concern at the fact that child labour is overwhelmingly spread throughout the country and that children may work long hours at young ages, which has a negative effect on their development and school attendance. The Committee of Experts also expressed concern at the situation of young children working in Cameroon. It requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of the national plan to combat child labour and the WACAP Programme, as well as on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice.

In its report, the Government indicates that the national plan to combat child labour was never formally adopted. It adds that the WACAP Programme resulted in the identification of over 5,000 children and the integration of around 1,300 children either in formal schools or in vocational training centres. The Committee notes that, according to the information available to the Office, the Minister of Labour has established a mechanism to monitor and report on child labour. Finally, it notes the Government’s indication that the Programme will be extended throughout the national territory. However, the Committee notes that, with the exception of these statistics, the Government does not provide information on the application of the Convention in practice. While noting the Government’s commitment to combat child labour, the Committee once again expresses deep concern at the situation of children under 14 years of age who are compelled to work in Cameroon and strongly encourages the Government to step up its efforts to achieve a progressive improvement in the situation. In view of the statistics referred to above, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would envisage the possibility of adopting a national plan of action to combat child labour with a view to implementing a real policy to eliminate this problem. Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the monitoring and reporting mechanism on child labour established by the Government will enable it to compile information on the extent of the problem and it requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for instance, statistical data on the employment of children and young persons, extracts from the reports of the inspection services and information on the number and nature of the infringements reported.

Article 2, paragraph 1. Minimum age for admission to employment or work. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Minister of Labour has not issued an order authorizing exemptions from the minimum age for admission to employment or work.

Article 2, paragraph 3. Age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that the minimum age for admission to employment was set at 14 years because this age corresponds to the end of the period of compulsory schooling in Cameroon. However, the Committee noted that, according to information provided by UNESCO, the age of entry into primary school is 6 years, but the leaving age varies between 11 and 14 years. In the light of this, the Committee noted that children under the age of 14, who are therefore younger than the minimum age for admission to employment or work, may not actually be attending school. The Committee requested the Government to provide a copy of Act No. 98/004 of 14 April 1998 establishing the framework for education in Cameroon (hereinafter the Education Framework Act). The Committee notes that the Education Framework Act does not specify the age of completion of compulsory schooling. It requests the Government to indicate the provisions of the national legislation establishing the age of completion of compulsory schooling. Furthermore, in view of the high number of children under 14 years of age who work in the country, the Committee requests the Government to provide statistics on the school attendance and drop-out rates.

Article 2, paragraphs 4 and 5. Specification of the minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment or work. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government that consultations were held with the National Labour Advisory Commission for the establishment of the minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment or work.

Article 5. Limitation of the scope of application of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government initially limited the scope of application of the Convention to those branches of economic activity or types of enterprise referred to in Article 5, paragraph 3, of the Convention, namely: mining and quarrying; manufacturing; construction; electricity, gas and water; sanitary services; transport, storage and communication; and plantations and other agricultural undertakings mainly producing for commercial purposes, but excluding family and small-scale holdings producing for local consumption and not regularly employing hired workers. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report, and taking into account the fact that a substantial number of children work in the informal economy in the country, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the general situation with regard to the employment or work of children and young persons in those branches of activity that are excluded from the scope of application of the Convention.

Article 6. Apprenticeship and vocational training. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government that no orders have been issued by the Minister of Labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the rules applicable to apprenticeship in Cameroon, and particularly on the conditions of work of apprentices in practice. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether the national legislation regulates vocational training and, where appropriate, to provide information on this subject.

Article 7. Light work. The Committee noted previously that the national legislation does not contain any provisions regulating light work. However, it noted that, according to ILO statistical data on Cameroon for the year 2000, a high number of children under 14 years of age are economically active in one way or another. The Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged with regard to the provisions determining what constitutes light work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it will inform the Committee in due time on this subject. In the meantime, the Committee reminds the Government that, by virtue of Article 7, paragraphs 1 and 4, of the Convention, the national legislation may permit the employment of persons of 12 to 14 years of age on light work, on condition that it is not likely to be harmful to their health or development. Furthermore, under the terms of Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the competent authority shall determine the activities in which light work may be permitted and shall prescribe the number of hours during which and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken. As a significant number of children under 14 years of age are engaged in work in the country, the Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to regulate employment by persons of 12 to 14 years of age on light work, determine the activities in which light work may be authorized and prescribe the number of hours during which and the conditions in which such employment or work may be undertaken. It requests the Government to report any new development in this respect.

Article 8. Artistic performances. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that children may be authorized to participate in artistic performances on condition that they are not put on at night between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. It also notes the Government’s indication that Order No. 017 of 27 May 1969 regulates the participation of children in artistic performances. In this respect, the Committee notes that section 18(4) of Order No. 017 prohibits the employment of children under 16 years of age in hazardous feats of strength or contortionism in public performances of any type.