RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS
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WITH THE ADVENT OF THE SUMMER VACATION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS OF THE LAW GOVERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, YOUNG PERSONS BELOW 15 YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN FACTORIES OR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
HOWEVER, CHILDREN WHO ARE AGED 13 OR ABOVE MAY, WITH APPROVAL FROM THEIR PARENTS, BE ENGAGED ON PART-TIME BASIS IN NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
+THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED FORM II SECONDARY EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED DURING THEIR NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS AND THAT THEIR HOURS OF WORK BE LIMITED TO TWO HOURS ONLY ON ANY SCHOOL DAY OR FOUR HOURS ON ANY OTHER DAY DURING THE SCHOOL TERM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THEY MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT HOURS A DAY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DURING THE SUMMER VACATION BUT THE EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE THEM AT LEAST ONE-HOUR BREAK FOR REST OR MEAL AFTER A CONTINUOUS SPELL OF WORK OF FIVE HOURS.
+THE REGULATIONS ALSO STIPULATE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE REACHED 13 BUT HAVE NOT COMPLETED FORM III ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS INCLUDING THE KITCHEN OF AN EATING PLACE, HAIR-DRESSING SALOON AND MASSAGE PARLOUR.+
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON EMPLOYERS INTENDING TO TAKE ON YOUNG JOB SEEKERS TO CHECK THE APPLICANT'S IDENTITY CARD TO ENSURE THEY WERE NOT UNDER AGED.
THOSE WHO CONTRAVENE ANY PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS ARE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8524165, 3-7332444 OR 0-232664.
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