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The Ministry of Labour has decided to allow residents between 15 and 18 years of age, who are sponsored by a relative or educational institute, to take up part-time work. A maximum of four hours a day will be permitted, but there are no guidelines to say what remuneration should be paid. Nor has it been said when it comes into operation, or if the part-time workers will be given an identity card or permit which can be produced upon inquiry from a labour inspector. This latter will be essential if the worker or employer is to avoid prosecution.
The concept of allowing people of such age to work has been practised for many years in other countries. There, however, in most cases, proper induction, guidance and training is given to the worker in accordance with a preset plan. Often the student will choose a company in which activity they are keen to pursue once they graduate, so a caring employer looks upon the employment as an opportunity to entice prospective full-time employees.
What companies must not do, however, is to look upon the employment of part-time workers as an occasion to employ staff at slave labour rates.
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