Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 6:HOW TO RATIFY & USE ILO CONVENTION NO. 184ON SAFETY & HEALTH IN AGRICULTUREWHAT THE CONVENTIONSAYS3. Notwithstandngparagraph 1, national lawsor regulations or thecompetent authority may,after consultation with therepresentative organisationsof employers and workersconcerned, authorise theperformance of workreferred to in thatparagraph as from 16 yearsof age on condition thatappropriate prior training isgiven and the safety andhealth of the young workersare fully protected.WHAT YOUR LAWSSAYAMENDMENTS NEEDEDTO YOUR NATIONAL LAWIUF Comment on Article 16This Article represents an important step forward in protection of young workers. It willrequire changes in national laws in many countries as, currently, some countries allowchildren as young as 11-13 years old to carry out all types of agricultural work. Article 16sets the minimum age for such work at 18 years. National authorities may however permitpersons as young as 16 years of age to carry out hazardous work “on condition thatappropriate prior training is given and the safety and health of the young workers are fullyprotected”.Paragraph 4.3 of the Recommendation also states that, “health surveillance measures foryoung workers, pregnant and nursing women and aged workers should be taken, whereappropriate”.309 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers