New rules in B.C. to protect young workers

The provincial government says new rules raising the general working age in BC to 16 from the current 12 will come into effect on October 15th.

It says the changes to employment standards will define the types of jobs that are appropriate for those under 16 but will not prevent children from babysitting or delivering newspapers part time.

Youth aged 14 and 15 will be allowed to perform light work including jobs in retail, food services or recreation with permission from a parent or guardian while those 12 and up can continue working at family owned businesses and farms.

The province says prior to the changes, BC was the only province that allowed the employment of children as young as 12, which led to young workers being injured on the job every year.

For more read:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021LBR0027-001400