Employment of Children & Young Persons
A child must be at least 13 years of age before he/she can be employed. The employment of children and young persons is governed by Part VIII of the Employment Act and The Employment of Children and Young Persons Regulations.
Suitable forms of work
For persons 13 to 14 years of age
A child who is 13 years old and above can engage only in light work suited to his/her capacity. He/she cannot work in any industrial undertaking or vessel unless such undertaking or vessel is under the personal charge of his/her parent. You should notify the Commissioner for Labour within 30 days of your child's employment.
Young persons of 15 years of age may be employed in an industrial undertaking. However, the employer must:
- Notify the Commissioner for Labour within 30 days of the young person's employment (
download notification form); and
- Before employment, submit a medical certificate certifying the young person's fitness for employment.
Unsuitable forms of work
Persons below 16 years of age are not allowed to work in:
- Any occupation or place with working conditions that are injurious, or likely to be injurious,to their health;
- Any service involving management of, or attendance to, machinery in motion;
- Any service involving management of, attendance to, or proximity to any live electrical apparatus that is not effectively insulated; or
- Any underground work.
Employment as workmen
If children or young persons are employed as workmen:
- They cannot work during the night, between 11pm and 6am the next day;
- Their hours of work cannot exceed:
- For a child – three hours without a break of 30 minutes or six hours in any one day; or
- For a young person – four hours without a break of 30 minutes or seven hours in any one day, including the period of school attendance (If he/she is attending school).
- They are not allowed to work on their rest days without the permission of the Commissioner for Labour.
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