Focus on young workers
Okanagan Edge Staff - Oct 08, 2019 - BC Biz

Photo: Contributed

WorkSafeBC reports there was more than $1.1 million in job-related disability claims for workers aged 14 years or younger between 2007 and 2017.

As a result, the B.C. government is asking the public to weigh in on which duties or types of jobs children should be allowed to perform in the workplace.

The government passed amendments to the Employment Standards Act earlier this year that raised the minimum working age from 12 to 16, with 14- and 15-year-olds allowed to perform light work. Regulations will be developed based on this engagement process, which is required before the amendments come into effect.

The public engagement will be open until Friday, Nov. 15, and it essentially asks the public to define “light work.”

Certain jobs are already exempt from age restrictions in B.C., including babysitters, newspaper carriers, performers in recorded and live entertainment, and students in work-study programs. These jobs will not be affected by the new age requirements or rules around light work.

To have your say, visit the government’s public engagement site.


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