Protection of Young People Directive (94/33/EC)
Objective
The main objective of the Directive is to prevent the employment of children. The Directive applies to all young people under the age of 18 who are employed in the EU's Member States.
Background
Whilst forbidding the employment of children the Directive does allow children to work under certain conditions which are defined in the Directive. These include children aged 14 years or over working as part of a work/training scheme or traineeship for example. The types of employment which must not be carried out by young people are listed in the Directive, such as work which exceeds the mental or physical capacities of young people or work involving harmful exposure to dangerous substances.
The Directive lays down the employer's general obligations, such as protection of the health and safety of young people, assessment of the risks to young people associated with their work, assessment and monitoring of the health of young people.
It also contains details on the number of working hours, night work, rest periods, annual leave and rest breaks that apply to children.
The Directive lays down the employer's general obligations, such as protection of the health and safety of young people, assessment of the risks to young people associated with their work, assessment and monitoring of the health of young people.
It also contains details on the number of working hours, night work, rest periods, annual leave and rest breaks that apply to children.
Implementation
According to the Directive, Member States must take the necessary measures to prohibit the employment of children and shall ensure that the employment of adolescents is strictly controlled and protected.