Government issues work permits to Under-16s

Applications can now be filled in by parents and employers to request legal permits for students to work during Summer and after completion of their compulsory education period.

The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), Directorate for Educational Services (DES) and Social Security Department (DSS) within the Ministry of Education Employment and Family, in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Relations and Employment (Dier) expect this new process of issuing work permits will guarantee that young people would have age appropriate working conditions.

Government anticipates that teenagers will also be protected against economic exploitation and safety risks included in the positions they fill. Their education is also expected to not be undermined by employers whilst protecting the youths’ moral and social development.

Parents and employers will be expected to fill in several forms permitting the student or child in question to work which would then be processed by the ETC, DES, DSS, MEEF and Dier to ensure protection of the legal rights of all parties involved. The student’s Head of School will also be required to approve the application for work and a risk assessment for the position will need to be provided by the employer. Employers will also be expected to send a form indicating commencement of employment of the student in question to ETC.

Only once parents receive permission from the DES, authorisation has been given to the employers by the Dier, and the student’s Social Security number has been issued, the student in question will be able to begin their working experience.