Children
[ch 2: page 55]Children under the age of 13 years cannot be employed in any capacity. Thirteen-year-olds can do light work that is not harmful to their health and safety, school attendance or other factors, and which is permitted under local authority by-laws.
There are strict limits on the working hours of children under 16. Fourteen- year-olds can work during the school holidays for up to five hours a day (maximum 25 hours a week), or on Saturdays all year round for up to five hours.
Fifteen-year-olds can work up to eight hours a day and 35 hours a week during the school holidays. A child under 16 cannot work more than two hours on a school day or Sunday. No work is allowed during school hours. Children cannot work in industrial undertakings, including transport, street trading, merchant shipping or mining. Employers must perform a risk assessment before offering employment to a child or young person.
Children have the right to a rest break of at least an hour in any shift lasting more than four hours, and to a two-week break from any work during school holidays. By-laws regarding the employment of children should be available from your local authority.