Morocco endorses international convention banning child labor

The Moroccan government adopted Tuesday the International Labor Organization's convention banning child labor and setting the minimum age for hiring children.

The spokesman of the socialist-led coalition government, Khalid Alioua, announced following a Cabinet meeting that Morocco endorsed the international convention that bans the work of children aged under 15 years and the hiring of minors aged under 18 years in occupations that are "hard" or that pose hazards to their health and safety.

The spokesman, who is also minister of social affairs, drew a distinction between apprenticeship and employment and explained that an agreement between the departments of employment and handicraft seeks to develop the apprenticeship system.

He added that his department and other ministries are developing a structured apprenticeship system to settle the problem of children who have not completed basic education.

He added that the convention will soon be ratified by the parliament.