Seasonal work: employers want to employ young people aged 14 and over

Some employers want to be able to employ young people from the age of 14. Their argument: Help those in need and keep them away from certain social scourges.

But the unions have no faith in their good intentions.

Raj is the director of a company in the capital. As is the practice in small businesses, he calls on young people for the December work.

“They can help their families with the money they receive or do their own shopping. We give them a job based on their age. I think we must give young people the opportunity to work so that they do not fall into the scourge of drugs. "

Comments that are enough to irritate Atma Shanto, union negotiator for the United Workers Federation.

“I am not in favor of “Child Labor” in Mauritius. Our development is based on overexploitation. The private sector wants to overexploit children and I do not agree. "

Employers do not have to take care of young people's free time, there is a ministry and structures for that, adds trade unionist and social worker Deepak Benydin.

“We must not forget that activities are organized by community centers during the holidays. "

At the Ministry of Labor, it is explained that there are no regulations concerning small holiday jobs, as long as the task does not have a negative impact on the child and their studies. On the other hand, for full-time employment, the minimum age is 16 years.