(Quebec) Quebec plans to legislate to better regulate child labor.
Posted at 5:23 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Labor and Employment, Jean Boulet, had to comment on the fact that more and more children aged 11 to 14 find themselves on the labor market.
He said in response to Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy that the situation was not “normal” and that he had sought the advice of groups, such as trade unions and employers’ associations.
The Advisory Committee on Labor and Manpower should also submit its “recommendations”. “If it is necessary to intervene in a legislative way, it will be done in due time”, declared the minister.
Jean Boulet pleaded on Tuesday for a “reflection” on this “extremely important” issue which “concerns him enormously” in a context of labor shortage.
Currently, in Quebec, there is no minimum age to work.
“Do you find it normal to read that Amanda, 11, works between 12 and 18 hours a week? asked M.me Rizqy, who says he fears the impact on academic success.
“Right now, it has almost doubled in all regions, school dropout,” she continued.
The MNA for Saint-Laurent recalled that other provinces had legislated; in particular, British Columbia raised the minimum working age from 12 to 16.
Quebec still imposes “significant” obligations on employers, who must ensure the health and safety of young people, moderated Mr. Boulet. The latter are subject to “increased surveillance”.
“It is clearly intended that an employer should not exceed the child’s abilities, nor impact on his social or moral development,” he said.
In the Act respecting labor standards, a person under the age of 14 must have the consent of his parents to work.
In addition, under the Education Act, if the person is 16 or under, or has not completed Secondary 5, they cannot work during school hours.