Harper Government signals intent to ratify international convention on minimum age for admission to employment
May 14, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Canada’s Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, tabled the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 138 Concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, signalling the Government of Canada’s intention to ratify it.
Convention 138 requires ratifying member states to set a minimum age for employment of 15 years of age and to prohibit hazardous work for young workers under the age of 18. Under the Convention, children aged 13 to 15 are allowed to perform “light work” that is not likely to be harmful to their health, development or attendance at school.
For example, the Convention allows signatory countries to permit young people to work on family farms or for family businesses and to participate in activities such as babysitting or newspaper delivery. One of the Convention’s key objectives is to ensure that children and young workers do not leave school to join the workforce full time.
Andrew McGrath
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
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