Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)

The Minimum Age Convention belong to the eight fundamental ILO conventions on the protection of labour rights. The convention addresses child labour and requires State Parties to introduce domestic policies that specify a minimum age of work.

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. The Minimum Age Convention is part of the 15 core conventions covered under the GSP regulation.

CEACR / ILO