Councils to raise awareness of legal position of child employment

Local authorities across the UK are taking part in a campaign to raise public awareness of children being employed illegally.

Councils are participating in Child Employment Fortnight, which lasts from 24 May to 4 June and is organised by the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment (NNCEE).

The law allows a young person to be employed from the age of 14, but local authorities can permit a young person to be employed from 13. The legislation sets out permitted hours and types of employment, and requires employers to have a work permit for school age employees.

A survey conducted during the 2009 Child Employment Fortnight found 1,394 school-aged children working in various occupations. Of these, 541 were found to be working illegally.

Separate research found that almost 60 children are either seriously injured or killed each year whilst working. They will typically not be covered by employer’s insurance, which means that they are unlikely to receive compensation for their injuries.

Paul Kirkham, PR officer for NNCEE and education welfare officer for Cornwall’s children’s services authority, said: “Child employment laws exist to safeguard the education, health and welfare of compulsory school age employees and we are becoming increasingly concerned that a lack of awareness and understanding of these law is leaving young people vulnerable to exploitation and injury.

“The aim of this campaign is to increase awareness of the law and ensure that more young people are working safely and legally.”

Kirkham insisted that the campaign was not “a persecution or prosecution exercise”, but would give education welfare officers an opportunity to visit employers, shopping centres, markets and other places where children are employed to offer advice on the legal situation.