But some strongly disagree with regulations affecting workers ages 12 to 14 that comes into force on Dec. 14
The British Columbia government is bringing in new employment standards it says will protect young workers — but not everyone agrees with that assessment.
Graham Bruce, B.C.’s Minister of Skills Development and Labour, said the new regulations — which come into force on Dec. 14 — make employers responsible for ensuring employees who are ages 12 to 14 don’t work during school hours.
The student may work up to four hours on a school day and up to 20 hours a week when school is in session. If school is not in session, the maximum work time is seven hours a day and 35 hours in a week. In special circumstances the director of employment standards may authorize a longer workday.
Employees under 15 must also be under the direct, immediate supervision of an adult in the workplace at all times.
“These rules mirror conditions that used to be found in the child employment permits issued by the Employment Standards Branch,” said Bruce. “Those permits were almost always approved, but sometimes delays in processing around 300 applications each year could mean a young person missed a job opportunity.”
He said with about 160,000 children in the 12 to 14 age bracket in the province, the government knows there are more than the 300 working who have been issued permits.
“We want to make sure they’re well protected,” said Bruce. “We are changing the rules to better focus on protecting these young employees by returning responsibility for deciding whether or not a youngster goes to work to that person’s parents.”
Employers must have written permission for the young person to work and are subject to penalties of $500, $2,500 or $10,000 for not following these rules, he said.
Specific rules have been developed for children working in the film and television industry. These rules set out how long a child can work in a day or week and ensure children’s incomes are protected. The standards were developed following discussions with U.S. and Canadian film producers, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, educators and the Union of B.C. Performers.
The regulations have met with some resistance, notably from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. In June of this year, it blasted the province’s plans to change the regulations around child labour.
“Elsewhere in the world, governments are working to eradicate the problem of child labour but the B.C. Liberals are taking our province in the opposite direction,” said Neil Worboys, president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. “Children will suffer and their education will suffer.”
Under the new legislation, the teachers said the Employment Standards Branch would no longer regulate child employment nor would it have the capacity to monitor workplaces.
“These changes are clearly designed to benefit employers, not children,” Worboys said. “The will grant business greater access to a pool of young, inexperienced workers who cannot command a decent wage and who will be less likely to stand up for their rights.”
The teachers are also concerned the plan would put pressure on young people — particularly those in low-income families — to put work ahead of school.
“These students will be at greater risk of exploitation on the job or even of dropping out of school because of increased pressure to help augment the family income,” said Worboys.
Graham Bruce, B.C.’s Minister of Skills Development and Labour, has written an opinion piece on the new legislation. To read his view, click on the related articles link below.
Graham Bruce, B.C.’s Minister of Skills Development and Labour, said the new regulations — which come into force on Dec. 14 — make employers responsible for ensuring employees who are ages 12 to 14 don’t work during school hours.
The student may work up to four hours on a school day and up to 20 hours a week when school is in session. If school is not in session, the maximum work time is seven hours a day and 35 hours in a week. In special circumstances the director of employment standards may authorize a longer workday.
Employees under 15 must also be under the direct, immediate supervision of an adult in the workplace at all times.
“These rules mirror conditions that used to be found in the child employment permits issued by the Employment Standards Branch,” said Bruce. “Those permits were almost always approved, but sometimes delays in processing around 300 applications each year could mean a young person missed a job opportunity.”
He said with about 160,000 children in the 12 to 14 age bracket in the province, the government knows there are more than the 300 working who have been issued permits.
“We want to make sure they’re well protected,” said Bruce. “We are changing the rules to better focus on protecting these young employees by returning responsibility for deciding whether or not a youngster goes to work to that person’s parents.”
Employers must have written permission for the young person to work and are subject to penalties of $500, $2,500 or $10,000 for not following these rules, he said.
Specific rules have been developed for children working in the film and television industry. These rules set out how long a child can work in a day or week and ensure children’s incomes are protected. The standards were developed following discussions with U.S. and Canadian film producers, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, educators and the Union of B.C. Performers.
The regulations have met with some resistance, notably from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. In June of this year, it blasted the province’s plans to change the regulations around child labour.
“Elsewhere in the world, governments are working to eradicate the problem of child labour but the B.C. Liberals are taking our province in the opposite direction,” said Neil Worboys, president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. “Children will suffer and their education will suffer.”
Under the new legislation, the teachers said the Employment Standards Branch would no longer regulate child employment nor would it have the capacity to monitor workplaces.
“These changes are clearly designed to benefit employers, not children,” Worboys said. “The will grant business greater access to a pool of young, inexperienced workers who cannot command a decent wage and who will be less likely to stand up for their rights.”
The teachers are also concerned the plan would put pressure on young people — particularly those in low-income families — to put work ahead of school.
“These students will be at greater risk of exploitation on the job or even of dropping out of school because of increased pressure to help augment the family income,” said Worboys.
Graham Bruce, B.C.’s Minister of Skills Development and Labour, has written an opinion piece on the new legislation. To read his view, click on the related articles link below.
