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Yes to a tight framework; no to a minimum age
by ARQresto
Last December, the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, announced the tabling of a proposed bill to regulate and limit child labour. Such legislation could aggravate the labour shortage, therefore this news was cause for concern for your Association. On the recommendation of the Comité consultatif du travail et de la main-d’œuvre, the government intends to set the minimum age for employment at 14 and prohibit work weeks of more than 17 hours for young people aged 14 to 16 during the school year.
As Early As September
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Our industry already struggles with a high vacancy rate, and the ARQ fears that the government’s decision will threaten many businesses that depend on young workers to maintain their operating hours. Moreover, the government hopes to table the bill as early as this winter so it comes into force in time for the start of the school year in September. This would leave restaurant owners with little time to adapt. This project poses a particular threat to businesses in tourist areas with a small population and a limited pool of local workers. These restaurants tend to be very busy during the summer season and recruitment can be difficult, so they are dependent on their young workers to be able to serve seasonal visitors. Additionally, the tourism season in these regions does not always align with the school holiday period.
Prioritizing Education
The ARQ is aware that school must be the priority for our young people and believes in tighter regulation of adolescent employment to ensure a healthy work-study balance. Your Association therefore proposes that the work regulations for young people be based on a maximum number of hours of work, rather than on a minimum age. Specifically, it proposes a maximum of 12 hours per week for employees under 14 and 20 hours for employees aged 14 to 16.
Over the years, our industry has provided countless Quebecers with a rewarding first work experience. We therefore firmly believe that the restaurant industry offers safe working conditions that respect the educational needs of the young persons it employs.
Rest assured that your Association will continue its advocacy work on this issue and play an active role in the upcoming discussions when it is debated in the National Assembly.
SOCIAL MEDIA
