The Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) was adopted in 1973 and became effective in June 1976. The Convention requires State Parties specify a minimum age for labour as a mechanism to abolish child labour. The minimum age specified by the Convention is 15 years, however, State Parties are allowed to set 14 years as a minimum age if restricted to a certain amount of time. The Convention allows younger children (<15 years) to engage in light labour. The Committee of Experts is responsible for monitoring and supervising the effective implementation of the Convention. State Parties must submit a report which reflects on the status of implementation every three years.

CEACR / ILO