Quebec will conduct “deep reflection” on child labor, according to the advice of the Advisory Committee on Labor and Manpower (CCTM) in an opinion obtained by The Canadian Press.
The Minister of Labor, Jean Boulet, sought the opinion of the CCTM following a series of reports, according to which more and more children aged 11 to 14 are entering the labor market.
This new phenomenon, associated with labor shortages, brings part of the worries and reflectionsagreed with the CCTM, which brings together major labor organizations and employers in Quebec.
Organizations […] wants to ensure that the work of children and youth in any way does not compromise their education or harm their health or their physical or moral development.
Current concerns about child and youth labor are real and they require broad and global reflection for all workplaces.we write.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Mr. Boulet said child labor should be viewed as somethingrare. He welcomes the CCTM’s recommendation to review existing law.
I asked my ministry team to review all the provisions […] relating to child labor. Then, I will make a comparison of the law in other provinces.
We will conduct an impact analysis, then we will determine the need or not to perfect our articles of law.affirmed the Minister, not giving himself a specific timetable.
Quebec does not impose a minimum age for work, unlike other provinces. In British Columbia, for example, the minimum age was recently raised from 12 to 16, with a few exceptions.
Neither parametric
But be careful, says Jean Boulet. This does not mean that Quebec is a cunning Canadian; multiple items scattered in Quebec laws already govern child labor.
He recalls that a person under the age of 14 must have his or her parents ’permission, and a young person aged 16 or under who has not earned a diploma cannot work during school hours.
There is also a rule […] providing that you must be at least 16 years old to drive a forklift; at least 18 years of age to do blasting work; […] to go underground is at least 18 years oldhe lists.
Child labor is fairly regulated in Quebec. Anything dangerous, anything dangerous, is not allowed […]. We still have a protective net which is interestingHe added.
The minister argues for some flexibility. Some tell me: “My son is 12 years old […] and he was ready to do […] 20-25 hours “. You also shouldn’t have an overly parametric approach. You need to adapt.
However, Mr. Boulet encourages anyone who has witnessed ill -treatment to file a complaint with CNESST. He seemed to like it hit in the head corrupt employers. We will make sure they pay the finehe promised.
On June 3, the Legault government refused to debate a motion filed by PQ MP for Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault, regarding child labor.
Mr. Gaudreault requested that the National Assembly cites the increasing number of workplace accidents in which they are involved and that he calls on the government to act to prevent child labor.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
