International Labour Organisation Convention No. 138, Article 7 and its Implementation in South African Municipal Laws: Suggested Policy Changes

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the implementation of Article 7 of Convention No. 138 in the municipal laws of South Africa. The regulation of light work in South Africa is complex because there is no legislation that defines or even refers to light work by children between the ages of 12 and 15. Children below the age of 15 years can only undertake work for the purposes of fundraising and charity and cannot be employed for remuneration. The relevant legislation does not provide children with adequate opportunities to undertake work that could be beneficial for children.