Country profile ISR
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1949-09-15 | C182 | Defence Service Law, 5709-1949 - Section 1, Sections 4, Section 6. (a) (1) (2) | [{"link_name":"Defence Service Law, 5709-1949","source_link":"https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/About/History/Documents/kns1_defense_eng.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Sections 6. (a) (1) and (2) of the Law stipulate that a calling-up officer may, call upon a male who has been found fit for service and is of any age from eighteen years to twenty nine years and a female person who has been found fit for service and who is of any age from eighteen years to twenty six years for regular service. Furthermore, while Section 1. of the Text defines a person of military age as any male aged from 18 to 49 and any female aged from 18 to 34., Sections 4. (a) stipulates that can be called to report for registration any person of military age. Consequently, it is prohibited for children below the age of 18 years to be called up for service. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2012 | C182 | Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment No. 12) 5772-2012 - Section 8. | [{"link_name":"Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment No. 12) 5772-2012","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/isr/dangerous-drugs-ordinance-5733_html/israel-Dangerous_Drugs_Ordinance73.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Section 8. of the Text punishes any person that gives a prohibited for distribution substance to a minor; or instigates a minor to obtain a prohibited for distribution substance or to use it. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1977 | C182 | Penal Law 5737-1977 - Section 34X, Section 377A. and Article 214. (b) | [{"link_name":"Penal Law 5737-1977","source_link":"https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Israel-Penal-Law-5737-1977-eng.pdf"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Section 377A. of the Law punishes any person conducting commerce in human beings, including for the purpose of forcing someone to engage in prostitution. Subsection 377A. (b) provides that, if such offence is committed on a minor, its perpetrator should be liable to 20 years imprisonment. As defined in Section 34X., a minor is as a person who has not reached the age of 18 years, which prohibits the commission of the aforementioned offence on every children below that age. For its part, Article 214. (b) punishes the use of children for the production of pornographic content. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 1977 | C182 | Penal Law 5737-1977 - Section 34X. and Section 377A. | [{"link_name":"Penal Law 5737-1977","source_link":"https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Israel-Penal-Law-5737-1977-eng.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Section 377A. of the Law prohibits commerce in human beings, including for purpose of slavery, forced labour and prostitution. Subsection 377A. (b) provides that, if such offence is committed on a minor, its perpetrator should be liable to 20 years imprisonment. As defined in Section 34X., a minor should be understood as a person who has not reached the age of 18 years, which prohibits the commission of the aforementioned offence on every children below that age. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1995-09-19 | C138 & C182 | Youth Labour Regulations (Prohibited and Restricted Work), 1995 - Section 1, Section 2 | [{"link_name":"Youth Labour Regulations (Prohibited and Restricted Work), 1995","source_link":"https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law00/4313.htm"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | The Text provides with the categories of works that are prohibited to children below 18 years. It includes activities related to mechanical, physical, chemical and biological factors. Nevertheless, it should be noted that, Section 1. also stipulates that this prohibition "shall not apply to the employment of a juvenile under the Apprenticeship Law, 5713-1953, or in a vocational training centre for juveniles as defined in Section 1(b)(3) of the law, all in accordance with the apprenticeship program for trades or in accordance with the training program of that centre" . Additionally, in its Section 2., the Regulations provide that "the Chief Labour Inspector may permit the employment of a juvenile in a particular job, in places, under the conditions and restrictions specified in the permit, if, in his opinion, it is essential for the juvenile's vocational training". |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1995-09-19 | C138 & C182 | Youth Labour Regulations (Prohibited and Restricted Work), 1995 - Section 1 and Section 2 | [{"link_name":"Youth Labour Regulations (Prohibited and Restricted Work), 1995","source_link":"https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law00/4313.htm"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Section 1 of the Regulations prohibits employing juveniles in any work, production process, or workplace listed in the Appendix, as these involve mechanical, physical, chemical, or biological hazards. As it relates to the Youth Labour Law, 5713-1953 which defines a juvenile as a person who has not yet attained the age of 18 years, it prohibits such activities to children below that age. Nevertheless, it should be noted that, Section 1. also stipulates that this prohibition "shall not apply to the employment of a juvenile under the Apprenticeship Law, 5713-1953, or in a vocational training centre for juveniles as defined in Section 1(b)(3) of the law, all in accordance with the apprenticeship program for trades or in accordance with the training program of that centre" . Additionally, in its Section 2., the Regulations provide that "the Chief Labour Inspector may permit the employment of a juvenile in a particular job, in places, under the conditions and restrictions specified in the permit, if, in his opinion, it is essential for the juvenile's vocational training". |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1953 | C138 | Apprenticeship Law No. 5713 - Article 5 | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:2248689,102934"}] | 15 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | In a Direct Request published in 2006, the CEACR notes the Government’s information indicating that young people may begin an apprenticeship only after having completed their compulsory education, i.e. from the age of 15. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1949-09-18 ; 1953 | C138 | Compulsory Education Law, 1949 - Chapter 1. (A) ; Youth Labour Law, 2010 - Section 2. (b) | [{"link_name":"-Compulsory Education Law, 1949","source_link":"https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law01/152_004.htm"},{"link_name":"-Youth Labour Law, 2010","source_link":"https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2010/en/74136"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Chapter 1. (A) of the Law defines compulsory education as the "education intended for children and adolescents and provided for fifteen years of schooling, three of which are in kindergarten from ages 3 to 5 and up, and twelve years of schooling, in grades 1 to 12, for children and adolescent". This provision brings the compulsory schooling age to 17 years which is higher than the minimum age for admission to work set to 15 years. Additionally, it should be noted that under Section 2. (b) of the Youth Labour Law, 5713-1953, it is provided that a child who is liable to compulsory education shall not be employed unless he or she meets a number of specified conditions. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2010 | C138 | Youth Labour Law, 2010 - Section 2. (c) | [{"link_name":"Youth Labour Law, 2010","source_link":"https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2010/en/74136"}] | 14 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Section 2. (c) of Youth Labour Law, provides that the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare may, in general or in specific cases, permit the employment of a child who is 14 years old and in respect of whom exemption has been granted from attending school, which can be considered as the minimum age for light work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4295418,102934:NO"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | In a Direct Request published in 2023, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), noted that, "With regard to the adoption of the regulations determining light work activities for children of 14 years and above, and the conditions for such work, the Government states that due to the political instability in the country these regulations could not be formalized.". No legal provision determining types and conditions of activities for light work was found in our research covering the years after 2023, thus implying that no such law has been implemented since the publication of the Committee's Direct Request. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2010 | C138 | Youth Labour Law, 2010 - Section 2. (a) | [{"link_name":"Youth Labour Law, 2010","source_link":"https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2010/en/74136"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Section 2. (a) of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to work to 15 years. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 15-MAR-2005 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 21-JUN-1979 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No information on any policy or plan to eradicate child labour was found. | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | N/A | N/A | N/A |