Québec solidaire fears that the child labor law, which Minister Boulet is about to introduce, will include exceptions that would strip it of substance to accommodate employers’ groups.
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“If we really want to tighten child labor with an effective law, we will not start making huge holes in the law so that we can repeat exactly what is already being done,” Solidarity Officer Alexandre Leduc explained in an interview.
According to Mr Leduc, business groups are currently pressuring the government to include exceptions in the underage employment bill.
In fact, one of the objectives of the Association Restoration Québec (ARQ) in the register of lobbyists is “to prevent the addition of a minimum age for access to the labor market”, which is however one of the main recommendations of the Consultative Committee on Labor and Manpower (CCTM), which sets the should inspire draft legislation that will be presented shortly.
The CCTM opinion recommends setting the minimum working age at 14 and limiting the number of hours a young person can work to 17 hours per week.
While this opinion is the result of a consensus between unions and employers’ federations, Alexandre Leduc fears that bosses will “take cover from their side” by speaking directly to the Labor Minister behind the scenes.
In particular, he fears they will be able to persuade Mr Boulet to add a ‘light duties’ clause that would allow young people under 14 to enter the labor market.
“They’ll say yes, but it’s just the easy tasks. The hostess who only puts the water glasses on the tables is not dangerous.
But if someone is sick or having trouble recruiting staff, what happens then? These kids will do more dangerous jobs,” lamented the supporting MP.
Mr Leduc also recalls that according to a CNESST report, from 2012 to 2021 there was a significant increase in workplace accidents among young people.
The increase is 392% for 14 year olds and under and 221% for 16 year olds.
Minister Boulet reiterated in the Hemicycle on Wednesday that he intends to draw inspiration from the CCTM’s opinion when preparing his draft law.
However, he also acknowledged that “exceptions can be made” and that he listens to what Mr Leduc calls “the restaurant and merchant lobby”.
“It’s a consultation. And when we look for a solution, we end up with a consensus,” said the minister.