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Protection from work that harms you

8-12 years old

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What does this mean?

It’s your right to be safe from work that harms you. While you are still a child, you should focus on getting an education.

In some countries, children are forced to go to work, which isn’t fair.

If you are old enough and you do work, you should get paid fairly and you shouldn’t do any work that harms you or is bad for your health or education.

EXAMPLE: In Ireland there are laws that protect children and it says you can only work when you are 14 years old, and only for a certain amount of hours.

Learn more about this right

  • UNCRC, article 32: It’s your right to be protected from work that harms you and is bad for your health and education. If you work, you have the right to be safe and paid fairly.
  • The Protection of Young Person Employment Act 1996 explains all the rights that children have if they go to work in Ireland.
  • You can’t work until you are 14 years old.
  • When you are 14, you can work for up to 35 hours a week during holidays from school.
  • As a child, you have special rights. You should have breaks if you’ve been working for a certain amount of time.