Minister Labour Membathisi Mdladlana has opened the door to child labour in advertising, sport, artistic and cultural activities.
Addressing a media conference in Parliament on Wednesday, the minister said the Basic Conditions of Employment Act placed a legal prohibition on the employment of children under 15 years and also protected those between 15 and 18 “if the employment is inappropriate for the age of the child or if the work places at risk the child’s well-being”.
The minister told journalists: “However, special provision can be made to accommodate the employment of children in the performance of advertising, sport, artistic or cultural activities … To this extent the department of labour has completed an investigation on setting appropriate conditions of employment, which will ensure that these children are protected from exploitation.”
He said the employment conditions commission had completed deliberations on the matter and made recommendations to him.
One of the recommendations was that employers within a sector should apply for a permit before engaging children. — I-Net Bridge