Is it possible to hire minors – can this be done without parental permission

Soon the summer vacation season will begin in Ukraine. Currently, many students are looking for temporary part-time work. Mikhail Kharin, director of the Regional Center for Provision of Free Secondary Legal Aid in Kyiv, told what parents and minors who are looking for work should remember.

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According to the Labor Code of Ukraine, a person can get a job from the age of 16. However, some types of work may only be available for performance after reaching a certain age or with the permission of parents (if the person has not yet reached 18 years of age).

As an exception, and with the consent of one of the parents or his substitute, persons who have reached fifteen years of age may be hired. And the Code also provides that in order to prepare young people for productive work, it is allowed to employ applicants for education of institutions of general secondary, vocational (vocational), vocational higher or higher education, receiving in any form primary, basic secondary or profile secondary education to perform light work that does not cause harm to health and does not disrupt the learning process, in their free time after they reach the age of fourteen, with the consent of one of the parents or a person replacing him.

Requirements for the employment of minors

Therefore, according to the law, the following conditions for the employment of minors exist:

• Consent to such work of one of the parents or replacing them;
• The child is studying in a general education school or in a vocational or secondary specialized educational institution;
• Work is carried out only in free time from study;
• Work for minors from 14 years of age must be easy;
• Work should not be harmful to health.

Minors (persons under the age of 18) have the right to work no more than 24 hours a week while studying, and no more than 48 hours a week during vacations or other periods when training is not conducted.

Yes, there are certain jobs that minors cannot do. In particular, this applies to work associated with heavy physical or mental stress, work in dangerous conditions, as well as work related to alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs.

There are certain special conditions that must be met when hiring teenagers. In particular, the minor must obtain a work permit from a parent or guardian, and must be made aware of working conditions and employee rights.

Underage workers have additional safeguards that can protect them from possible overwork and ensure their safety in the workplace. In particular, the law provides for the limitation of working hours and the regulation of working conditions (for example, minors cannot work at night or at heights). Also, the employer must provide minors with the necessary personal protective equipment that will ensure their safety at the workplace.

The expert recommended that parents and underage workers carefully study the working conditions and rights of the employee before signing an employment contract. And remember that if, when applying for a job, the child is not asked for permission from the parents, such work is illegal and the rights of the child will not be protected.

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