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Employment of children

What are the rules relating to the employment of children?

Subject to local authority bylaws, the rules for the employment of children under school age are:

  • No child shall be employed under the age of 14 years of age
  • Only light work shall be done
  • The child shall not work before the close of school hours
  • Not before 7 o’clock in the morning (any day)
  • Not after 7 o’clock in the evening (any day)
  • Not for more than 2 hours on any school day
  • Not for more than 2 hours on a Sunday
  • Not for more than 8 hours (5 hours for under 15 year olds) on a non-school day or day other than Sunday
  • Not for more than 35 hours (25 hours for under 15 year olds) during school holidays
  • Not for more than 4 hours in any day without a rest break of 1 hour
  • Not without 2 consecutive weeks holiday per year to be taken during school holidays