Convention 138 (ILO)

Convention 138, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), sets the minimum age for employment to protect children from exploitation. It mandates that countries should raise the minimum working age to at least 15, or 14 in developing nations, ensuring that work does not interfere with education or harm children’s health and development. The convention aims to prevent child labor and promote safe, healthy environments for youth. Countries that ratify this convention commit to implementing policies and programs to enforce these age limits and improve conditions for young workers.