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With the approach of the summer vacation, the Labour Department reminds employers to observe the Employment of Children Regulations and the Employment of Young Persons (Industry) Regulations when hiring employees aged below 18.
"Unless with prior approval of the Commissioner for Labour, no person shall employ children aged under 13 to work. While children aged 13 or 14 may be employed to work in non-industrial establishments, their employment is subject to the conditions laid down by the Employment of Children Regulations, which include the written consent of the child's parents to the employment and the production by the parents to the prospective employer evidence of the child's completion of Form Three or a valid school attendance certificate," a Labour Department spokesman said.
"Those aged 15 or above may generally be employed to work in non-industrial establishments or industrial undertakings. But for those aged below 18 working in industrial undertakings, their working hours and the general conditions of employment are governed by the Employment of Young Persons (Industry) Regulations," he added.
"Any person who contravenes any provision of the two regulations shall be guilty of an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000."
In the coming summer vacation, the Labour Department will step up inspections at places likely to employ children and youths to detect possible offences.
Employers are advised to refer to the Annex for major provisions under the relevant regulations, or to obtain a copy of the Concise Guide to the Employment of Children Regulations and the Employment of Young Persons (Industry) Regulations at the Labour Department's website at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_2.htm , or call the enquiry hotline on 2717 1771 for more details of the regulations.
Ends/Saturday, June 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:01
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