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

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Antigua and Barbuda (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not reply to the comments made by the Committee in 1999. The Committee hopes the Government will supply information requested in the previous direct request and further information on the following points in relation to the Government’s indication in its report.

Article 2, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Convention.  The Committee previously noted that amendments to the Labour Code of 1975 were under examination since 1987, to bring the minimum age for admission to employment or work (presently 14 years) under section E3 of the Labour Code, read in conjunction with section E2, into conformity with its declaration appended to its ratification, in which the Government had specified a minimum age of 16 years. The Committee recalled the Government’s indication that the proposed amendments were being re-examined in the light of current developments, and that the enactment is expected to take place in 1997 at the latest. It requests the Government to supply information on any progress made in this regard.

The Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that the minimum age of admission to any employment or work in agriculture is fixed at 18 years of age. It requests the Government to indicate the legislation which prescribes this minimum age in agriculture.

Article 4, paragraph 2.  The Committee notes once again the Government’s indication that there has been no change in the position of the national law and practice in respect of the categories of young people excluded from the application of the Convention (section E3 of the Labour Code), i.e. such categories as those in any undertaking or shop in which only members of the same family are employed, and a child who is working together with adult members of his family on the same work and at the same time and place. The Committee requests the Government to continue to indicate in future reports any changes in law and practice in respect of these categories excluded.