Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Tajikistan (Ratification: 1993)

Article 3(2) of the Convention. Determination of types of hazardous work. The Committee previously noted that according to section 177 of the Labour Code of 1997, a list of jobs prohibited to persons under 18 years of age as well as the maximum admissible weights shall be established by regulations of the Republic of Tajikistan. It requested that the Government indicate whether any regulations establishing such a list have been adopted.

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s statement that Government Decision No. 169 of 4 March 2014 sets out a list of hazardous and dangerous working conditions in which the employment of young persons under the age of 18 years is prohibited. It also establishes the maximum admissible weights that should be carried or lifted by young persons. The Committee requests that the Government provide a copy of the Government Decision No. 169 of 2014.

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that children are permitted to take part in artistic performances under the general minimum age for admission to employment or work. The Committee requested that the Government provide information on the measures taken or envisaged for the granting of permits as well as the conditions subject to which permits are granted for children participating in artistic performances.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it is currently considering enacting a regulatory framework on this matter. The Committee requests that the Government take the necessary measures to regulate the participation of children under the minimum age in artistic performances in accordance with Article 8 of the Convention. The Committee also requests that the Government provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Labour inspectorate. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report under Convention No. 182 regarding the activities undertaken by the Child Labour Monitoring Unit (CLMU) in combating child labour. According to this information, several seminars on child labour and its causes as well as public awareness-raising campaigns on the negative consequences of child labour, have been undertaken. More than 180 people took part in the seminars, including monitors, specialists from the Labour and Employment Agency, teachers, employers and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and hukumats (local councils). Awareness-raising campaigns on the rights of the child, ILO child labour Conventions, labour laws and opportunities for life skills and access to vocational training were provided to 180 children and parents. The Committee also notes the Government’s information that child labour monitoring committees were established in the hukumats of Kulob and Khorugh with the aim of eliminating child labour and to provide assistance to children working in these areas. Moreover, the Committee notes from the Government’s report under Convention No. 182, that in 2014, the State Supervisory Service conducted inspections in 530 entities and detected 2,076 infringements related to the employment of young persons. In this regard, 67 employers were fined with a total of 54,200 Tajikistani Somoni (TJS) (approximately US$7,497). The Committee requests that the Government continue providing information on the number of inspections conducted by the State Supervisory Service and violations detected with regard to the employment of children and young persons. It also requests that the Government provide information on the impact of the activities undertaken by the child labour monitoring committees in Kulob and Khorugh as well as the CLMU in terms of the number of children identified and removed from child labour and then provided with direct services.