Government has announced that under the ‘Hazardous Occupations Prohibited to Children Under 18 Years of Age Order 2013’ employers are prohibited to employ children in hazardous working environments.
This extraordinary government gazette supplement number 18 (legal notice number 30) came into force on May 28.
The gazette reveals that all employers should adhere to laws under Section 95(2) of the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 which prohibits any child to be employed in occupation or work which by its nature or circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.
Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate said under this order children are prohibited to be employed in occupations of processing and preparation of drugs and chemical products involving exposure to dangerous chemicals.
“Under this order children are also prohibited to be employed in areas of mining, service sports and other related areas like farming fishing and logging,” Minister Usamate said.
“Other hazardous work includes but is not limited to bottle collecting and scrap metal collecting.”
Minister Usamate said an employer who, after being served with this Order, continues to employ a child in the prohibited occupation of workplace , commits an offence and is liable under provisions of the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007.
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