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

Medical Examination of Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1946 (No. 77) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1970)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) received on 3 October 2016, as well as the Government’s report.

Application of the Convention in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Order No. 15 of 15 October 1979 on the organization and functioning of occupational medical services, which gives effect to some provisions of the Convention, has remained in force following the adoption of Act No. 92/007 of 14 August 1992 issuing the Labour Code. The Committee noted that, in addition to this Order and the Labour Code, Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969 on child labour continues to give effect to the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that it is seeking to strengthen the capacities of labour inspectors through training. However, according to the UGTC, the Government has not taken any measures to ensure the application in practice of the pertinent provisions of the Labour Code, Order No. 15 of 15 October 1979 or Order No. 17 of 27 May 1969.

Moreover, the Committee noted in its comments on the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), that the Government had adopted a National Plan of Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (PANETEC) 2014–2016 in March 2014. It noted that, under PANETEC, the reinforcement of the means of action of labour inspectors and the extension of their intervention are priorities. Substantial resources (logistics and transport, operating budget) will be allocated to the labour inspection services so that they can effectively expand their interventions to combat child labour. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take measures to ensure the application of the Convention in practice and to provide information on the results achieved, particularly under PANETEC. It also requests the Government to provide statistics on the number of employed young persons who have undergone the medical examinations provided for under the Convention.