Minors can be employed without govt certificates

THE Department of Labor and Employment on Tuesday issued an advisory clarifying the issuance of work permits and certificates for minors aged between 15 to 18 years old.

Acting Labor Secretary Arturo Sodusta issued the advisory in response to numerous queries received by the department from employers and workers about work certificates and permits for the employment of minors.

The acting labor chief said the advisory clarifies that issuance of the Labor department’s certificates to minors between 15 to 18 years old, before being employed, is not required by law.

Sodusta added that no employer shall deny minors the opportunity to seek employment merely on the basis of lacking a certificate or permit for eligibility to work, as issued by the Labor department.

The acting labor chief said minors may present a copy of the department’s advisory to any employer, job provider or government authority when seeking employment or during employment.

He also explained that the advisory reiterates that the employment of young persons between 15 to 18 yrs old maybe allowed subject to the conditions and prohibitions of Republic Act 9231 and the Labor Code.

The advisory that was issued by the labor department, Sodusta said, is in pursuant to the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines and R.A. 9231, and is consistent with Department Order No. 65-04.

R.A. 9231, Sodusta said, also defines the work hours of child workers, which is eight hours a day and in no case will go beyond 40 hours a week.

As to work at night, that law states that “a child 15 years of age but not below 18 shall be allowed to work between 10 in the evening to six in the morning of the following day.”

The acting labor chief said that department order no. 65-04, clarifies prohibitions, like the employment of children in advertisement directly or indirectly promoting alcoholic beverages, intoxicating drinks, tobacco and its by-products, gambling and any other form of violence.

The acting labor chief said the advisory also states that no employer shall hinder the young person’s education and learning opportunities. –Anthony Vargas, Manila Times