Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Zambia (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report, and of the communication of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) dated 23 October 2002.

The Committee notes, from the communication of the ICFTU, that child labour in Zambia is almost inexistent in the formal economy; however, children are reported to work in the unregulated economy, often in dangerous or harmful work. According to the ICFTU, children are mostly found in agriculture, domestic service, small-scale mining operations, stone crushing and pottering. It further highlights that 25 per cent of primary-school age children do not receive any schooling and that, in 1999, less than 29 per cent of children reached secondary school. Noting the absence of reference in the Government’s report to the communication of the ICFTU, dated 23 October 2002, the Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report, its comments on the points raised therein.

The Committee is also addressing a direct request to the Government concerning other detailed points.