Employers warned against exploiting teenage workers

A leading youth organisation is warning employers against ripping off young employees this Christmas.

This follows concern that some 14 and 15 years may be doing heavy work or working too long.

Michael McLoughlin from Youth Work Ireland says that employers need to be more aware of the provisions of the Protection of Young People [Employment] Act:

“Certainly there was research for example by the ESRI which showed that large amounts of, for example, 14-year-olds were working during school term. That shouldn’t be happening, and also 15 year olds should be working about 8 hours a week.”