The State’s child employment watchdog has launched a Christmas campaign to crack down on retailers employing children illegally.
Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria, Robert Hortle said Inspectorate officers were checking in on retail businesses to ensure they didn’t place inexperienced workers in harm’s way in their rush to respond to seasonal demand and extended opening hours.
“The campaign will see child employment officers visiting stores in some of Melbourne’s busiest shopping centres in the lead up to Christmas and across the school holidays – educating employers about child employment laws and checking compliance,” Mr Hortle said.
“All workplaces have risks, and these are magnified for young, inexperienced employees, so retailers need a permit to employ a child under 15, and to comply with rules around hours of work, rest breaks and start and finish times.”
He said that in Victoria, retailers could hire kids as young as 13, but they typically needed a permit before employing anyone under 15.
Mr Hortle said the permit system enabled the Wage Inspectorate to ensure employers had considered matters like safety, hours of work, rest breaks and supervision before employment started.
“Kids under 15 are still developing,” the Commissioner said.
“They don’t have the stamina of adults, so it is vital they receive adequate rest breaks, have enough down-time between shifts and are well supervised,” he said.
“The permit system helps ensure the employer understands the risks and puts measures in place to keep young staff safe.”
Mr Hortle said that if an employer failed to apply for a permit, the Wage Inspectorate would be unable to assess the risk of employment to the child and check that their health, safety and welfare would be protected, potentially putting them at risk.
Further information on child employment laws and requirements can be accessed at this PS News link.
