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Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Morocco (RATIFICATION: 2000)

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Article 1 of the Convention. National policy. The Committee notes that the development of the National Plan for Children (2017-21) is based on strategic objectives defined in the integrated public child protection policy, including the strengthening of the legal framework for child protection and the establishment of regional integrated child protection mechanisms (DTIPE). In this respect, as part of the DTIPE implementation programme, several achievements have been recorded, including: (1) the creation of provincial child protection committees in 17 provinces; (2) the establishment of child protection and support centres in the provinces by the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Integration, in partnership with the National Assistance Agency and the National Initiative for Human Development and Local Authorities; (3) the development of a training and capacity-building programme for the staff of four DTIPEs, with the support of the European Union and UNICEF.

The Committee also takes note of the Wladna programme, which was launched in 2021 to continue the work of the DTIPEs. The implementation of this programme notably includes: (1) conducting a diagnosis of services with regard to structures and their action plan for child protection; (2) evaluating the information system and its deployment it in targeted areas and supporting key stakeholders to facilitate its use and maintenance; (3) launching a training programme on child protection for stakeholders with new DTIPEs; and (4) continuing the process of drawing up the framework protocol for child protection and providing assistance to local stakeholders with a view to its implementation.

The Committee also notes the implementation of a road map aimed at eliminating child labour by 2025, with technical assistance from the Office, in line with target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the results achieved in the implementation of the integrated public child protection policy, in particular the number of children who have been withdrawn from labour and have benefited from protection and reintegration measures. It also requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the road map for the elimination of child labour by 2025.

Article 2(1) and (3). Scope of application and compulsory schooling. The Committee takes due note of the adoption of Framework Act No. 51-17 of 9 August 2019 concerning the education, training and scientific research system, the implementation of which focuses on equality of opportunity, improving the quality of education and training, and governance and mobilization.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government according to which a total of 6.9 million pupils were enrolled in public schools during the 2022-23 school year, taught by over 290,000 teachers in around 11,000 schools, including 7,000 in rural areas. In addition, more than 26,000 classrooms were fitted out in public primary schools, including 18,000 in rural areas, to accommodate almost 525,000 children. This marks a 14 per cent increase over the previous year, with a 63 per cent increase in rural areas. The Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to ensure compulsory schooling for children under 15 years of age, with a view to preventing them from working, especially on their own account and in the informal economy. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on school dropout rates, disaggregated by age and gender.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee notes the adoption of draft Decree No. 2.22.227 of 28 April 2022 amending Decree No. 2.18.546 of 24 August 2018, establishing the list of artistic professions, so that it is in line with the professions provided for in Act No. 68.16 concerning artists and artistic professions, prohibiting any hazardous activity in artistic performances that could jeopardize the health, safety or morals of children under 18 years of age, as well as night work for children under 16 years of age.

The Committee notes that the labour inspectorate has not received any complaints concerning the application of section 24 of Act No. 68.16, which stipulates that children between 16 and 18 years of age may be engaged in artistic performances between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., subject to prior written authorization from the labour inspector and notice to the government authority responsible for culture at the regional or provincial level. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application in practice of Act No. 68.16 concerning artists and artistic professions with respect to children under 18 years of age, including on the number of children under 18 years of age involved in artistic activities.