LABOR RIGHTS | DSAL promotes rules for hiring students for summer jobs

The Labor Affairs Bureau (DSAL) has reminded employers to abide by the law when hiring minors for summer jobs. According to the Labor Relations Law, employers can hire a student as young as 14 years old during school summer holidays, but need to obtain a medical certificate, parental consent and sign a written contract before the job starts.
The bureau explained that the required documents are to prove that the younger workers possess both the physical and mental ability to perform the relevant duties and that their parents permit such work.
Nevertheless, the employer is not required to submit these documents to the DSAL when hiring for summer jobs, but is required to do so when hiring for permanent positions, in which case they must submit the paperwork within 15 days of signing the contract. Moreover, when hiring a permanent worker below the age of 16, the employer is requested to apply for the DSAL’s approval in advance, so that the agency can consult the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau.
Regarding work arrangements, whether for permanent or summer jobs, employers are not allowed to ask minors to work overtime or to work between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. In addition, minors cannot be employed for household work, or work in billiard rooms, bowling alleys, fitness gyms, karaoke lounges, video game centres and Internet cafés, nor in any venues that underage people are not allowed to enter.
Moreover, minors cannot be offered jobs that are listed in the Chief Executive’s special approval list, such as electric arc welding, flame cutting, sandblasting, and works involving explosive physical or chemical factors.
If found to be breaching the law, the employer could be fined up to MOP50,000 for each hired minor. BY