New youth labour regulations take effect Friday

Oct 14, 2021 | 11:48 AM

New employment standards intended to protect young British Columbians at work will be put in place this Friday, Oct. 15.

The changes bring the general work age in B.C. from 12 up to 16 and define the types of jobs appropriate for those under the age of 16.

Youth that are 14 or 15 will be able to do many ‘appropriate’ and ‘light work’ jobs if they have permission from a parent or guardian. Youth age 14 and 15 may be able to work outside that ‘light work’ designation if they obtain a permit from the Ministry of Labour’s Employment Standards Branch.

The new regulations do not prohibit children from babysitting or delivering newspapers part-time, nor does it stop students from working in a work-study or work experience class.

Children age 12 and over can continue to work in a business or farm owned by an immediate family member, though the work site must meet all safety criteria set out in the regulation.

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The jobs now considered as ‘light work’ and appropriate for youth age 14 and 15 include:

Cashier
Computer Programmer
Golf Caddy
Lifeguard or Lifeguard Assistant
Messenger or Courier
Performing Artist
Recreation or Community Program Attendant
Referee or Umpire
Salesperson (excluding door-to-door)
Server of Food or Drink (excluding alcohol)
Sports or Recreational Coach or Instructor
Summer or Day Camp Leader
Tutor or Instructor
Visual Artist or Graphic Designer
Writer, Editor (or similar positions)

The changes effective Friday also prohibit youth under the age of 16 from participating in unsafe occupations or situations. Those new restrictions include

Repairing, maintaining or operating heavy machinery
Places where a minor is not permitted to enter
Sites designed to retain an oxygen-deficient or toxic atmosphere
Walk-in freezers or coolers, other than to place or retrieve an item
Handling substances that minors cannot legally purchase, use or distribute
Lifting, carrying or moving heavy items or animals
Using, handling or applying hazardous substances like pesticides.

The change to the Employment Standards Act was written in 2019. Consultations were then held with over 1,700 youth, parents and employers from multiple sectors to determine the scope of the new regulations before releasing the finalized regulations.

The change also brings B.C. in line with international standards for children employment. B.C. had been the only province with a general minimum working age as young as 12 prior to this change.

by Liam Verster

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