Children in Manitoba are protected from engaging in
work that would constitute a threat to their health or education
under The Employment Standards Code as well as other
provincial statutes. The Code regulates conditions of
employment and sets minimum ages for employment.
The Employment Standards Code of Manitoba defines
a "child" as an individual under the age of 16 years.
Under the Code, no child shall be employed except with the written
permission of the Director of Employment Standards and in accordance
with the permit issued by the Department of Labour. The
director shall not issue a permit to allow a child to work in a
business if the safety, health or well-being of the child is likely
to be adversely affected.
Section 83(4) of the Code prohibits the employment
of a child in an employment in which a substantive part of the
producing, cleaning, altering, repairing or servicing of any
material, substance, article, machinery or thing is done with
machinery.
A child who is permitted to work is protected with
respect to all terms and conditions under employment law including
minimum wage, overtime, general holidays, weekly day of rest and
vacation pay, as are all employees covered by the Code.
Under the Operations of Mines Regulation, enacted
pursuant to The Workplace Safety and Health Act, an employer
may not employ or permit the employment of any person under the age
of 18 years in the underground workings of a mine or at the face of
any open pit or quarry.
Other provincial legislation may also affect the
employment of youths. As an example, The Liquor Control Act
prohibits the employment of persons under the age of 18 years in
the sale, handling or serving of liquor.
For further information, please contact the
Employment Standards Office nearest you
Brandon (204)726-6370
Thompson (204)677-6664
Winnipeg (204)945-3352
Toll Free: 1-800-821-4307
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards
