EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - CHAPTER 57B EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - LONG TITLE Empowering section VerDate:30/06/1997 (Cap 57, section 73) [1 September 1979] (L.N. 195 of 1979) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 1 Citation VerDate:30/06/1997 These regulations may be cited as the Employment of Children Regulations. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 2 Interpretation VerDate:01/07/2007 For the saving and transitional provisions relating to the amendments made by the Resolution of the Legislative Council (L.N. 130 of 2007), see paragraph (12) of that Resolution. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires- "day" (天) means a period of 24 hours beginning and ending at midnight; "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) includes a proprietor; (L.N. 84 of 1980) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "parent" (父母), in relation to a child, includes a guardian and the person having actual custody of the child; "proprietor" (東主) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "school" (學校) , in relation to a child, means a primary or secondary school within the meaning of the Education Ordinance (Cap 279) and at which the child is a pupil at the relevant time; "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) means a certificate, in a form specified by the Permanent Secretary for Education, issued by the principal of a school, certifying that the child to whom it relates is attending at the school; (3 of 2003 s. 41; L.N. 130 of 2007) "secondary education" (中學教育) has the meaning assigned to it in the Education Ordinance (Cap 279); "week" (星期) means the period between midnight on Saturday night and midnight on the succeeding Saturday night. "day" (天) "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) "parent" (父母) "proprietor" (東主) "secondary education" (中學教育) "school" (學校) "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) "week" (星期) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 2 Interpretation VerDate:28/02/2003 In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires- "day" (天) means a period of 24 hours beginning and ending at midnight; "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) includes a proprietor; (L.N. 84 of 1980) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "parent" (父母), in relation to a child, includes a guardian and the person having actual custody of the child; "proprietor" (東主) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "school" (學校) , in relation to a child, means a primary or secondary school within the meaning of the Education Ordinance (Cap 279) and at which the child is a pupil at the relevant time; "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) means a certificate, in a form specified by the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, issued by the principal of a school, certifying that the child to whom it relates is attending at the school; (3 of 2003 s. 41) "secondary education" (中學教育) has the meaning assigned to it in the Education Ordinance (Cap 279); "week" (星期) means the period between midnight on Saturday night and midnight on the succeeding Saturday night. "day" (天) "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) "parent" (父母) "proprietor" (東主) "secondary education" (中學教育) "school" (學校) "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) "week" (星期) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 2 Interpretation VerDate:30/06/1997 In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires- "day" (天) means a period of 24 hours beginning and ending at midnight; "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) includes a proprietor; (L.N. 84 of 1980) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "parent" (父母), in relation to a child, includes a guardian and the person having actual custody of the child; "proprietor" (東主) has the meaning assigned to it in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59); (L.N. 84 of 1980) "school" (學校) , in relation to a child, means a primary or secondary school within the meaning of the Education Ordinance (Cap 279) and at which the child is a pupil at the relevant time; "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) means a certificate, in a form specified by the Director of Education, issued by the principal of a school, certifying that the child to whom it relates is attending at the school; "secondary education" (中學教育) has the meaning assigned to it in the Education Ordinance (Cap 279); "week" (星期) means the period between midnight on Saturday night and midnight on the succeeding Saturday night. "day" (天) "employer" (僱主) or "person" (人) "industrial undertaking" (工業經營) "parent" (父母) "proprietor" (東主) "secondary education" (中學教育) "school" (學校) "school attendance certificate" (在學證明書) "week" (星期) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 3 Application VerDate:30/06/1997 (1) The provisions of sections 18(5), 19(2) and (3) and 20 of the Ordinance do not apply in relation to children employed under these regulations. (2) These regulations do not apply in relation to children who are registered apprentices under the Apprenticeship Ordinance (Cap 47). (3) A child who works in an industrial undertaking or other place of employment, whether for wages or not, either in a process, trade or business or in cleaning any part of the industrial undertaking or other place of employment used for any process, trade or business or in any other kind of work whatsoever incidental to or connected with the process, trade or business shall be deemed to be employed therein for the purposes of these regulations or of any proceedings thereunder. (L.N. 84 of 1980) (4) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that these regulations are not in derogation of any other enactment which relates to the prohibition or control of the employment of children. (L.N. 84 of 1980) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 4 General prohibition of employment of children VerDate:30/06/1997 (1) No person shall employ a child, or cause or permit a child to be employed- (a) who is under the age of 13 years; or (b) subject to paragraph (3), in any industrial undertaking. (L.N. 390 of 1990) (2) The prohibition in paragraph (1)(b) extends to an industrial undertaking (other than a registered school under the Education Ordinance (Cap 279)) which is not carried on by way of trade or for the purposes of gain. (3) The prohibition in paragraph (1)(b) shall not extend to the industrial undertaking of preparation of food for consumption and sale on the premises where it is prepared. (L.N. 390 of 1990) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 5 Children who have attained 13 years and completed Form III of secondary education VerDate:30/06/1997 (1) Subject to regulation 4(1)(b) and (3) and to paragraph (2), a child who has completed Form III of secondary education shall not be employed unless- (L.N. 390 of 1990) (a) he has attained the age of 13 years; and (b) his parent- (i) can produce, to the satisfaction of the person intending to employ the child, evidence that he has completed Form III of secondary education; and (ii) has consented in writing to the employment. (2) No child referred to in paragraph (1) shall be employed- (a) before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on any day; (b) for more than 8 hours on any day; (c) at work continuously for a spell of more than 5 hours without thereafter an interval of not less than 1 hour for a meal or rest; or (d) to lift or carry any load exceeding 18 kg in the course of or in connexion with the employment. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 6 Children who have attained 13 years but not completed Form III of secondary education VerDate:30/06/1997 (1) Subject to regulation 4(1)(b) and (3) and to paragraph (2), a child who has not completed Form III of secondary education shall not be employed unless- (L.N. 390 of 1990) (a) he has attained the age of 13 years; and (b) his parent- (i) can produce, to the satisfaction of the person intending to employ the child, a valid school attendance certificate relating to that child; and (ii) has consented in writing to the employment. (2) No child referred to in paragraph (1) shall be employed- (a) notwithstanding regulation 4(3), in any occupation specified in the Schedule; (L.N. 390 of 1990) (b) before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on any day; (c) during school hours on any school day; (d) during the school term for more than- (i) 2 hours on any school day; or (ii) 4 hours on any other day; (e) during the summer holidays for more than 8 hours on any day; (f) at work continuously for a spell of more than 5 hours without thereafter an interval of not less than 1 hour for a meal or rest; or (g) to lift or carry any load exceeding 18 kg in the course of or in connexion with the employment. (3) In paragraph (2)- "school day" (上課日子) means any day during a school term- (a) which is not a public holiday or a school holiday; or (b) on which for any other reason a school is closed for the purposes of education; "school hours" (上課時間) means the period in the school day of a school during which instruction is given to pupils including any periods allowed for a meal or rest; "school term" (學期) means the period commencing in any year on the day in September on which the school opens for the purposes of education and ending on the commencement of the summer holidays in the next following year; "summer holidays" (暑假) means the period between school terms. "school day" (上課日子) "school hours" (上課時間) "school term" (學期) "summer holidays" (暑假) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 7 Records to be kept by employers VerDate:30/06/1997 Every employer of a child shall in respect of- (a) each of such employees; or (b) any class of them, keep records in such form as may be specified under section 49(1) of the Ordinance for the purposes of these regulations. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 8 Requirements as to certificates, medical examination etc. VerDate:01/12/2006 The Commissioner, or any public officer authorized in writing by him for the purpose, may require the employer of a child to- (a) produce- (i) the written consent of the parent to the employment of the child; and (ii) where appropriate, evidence that the child has completed Form III of secondary education or a valid school attendance certificate or a copy thereof; (b) arrange for the medical examination of the child, at such times as may be specified by the Commissioner; (c) produce in respect of the child a medical certificate of fitness signed by a registered medical practitioner or registered Chinese medicine practitioner. (16 of 2006 s. 11) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 8 Requirements as to certificates, medical examination etc. VerDate:30/06/1997 The Commissioner, or any public officer authorized in writing by him for the purpose, may require the employer of a child to- (a) produce- (i) the written consent of the parent to the employment of the child; and (ii) where appropriate, evidence that the child has completed Form III of secondary education or a valid school attendance certificate or a copy thereof; (b) arrange for the medical examination of the child, at such times as may be specified by the Commissioner; (c) produce in respect of the child a medical certificate of fitness signed by a medical practitioner. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 9 Offences and penalties VerDate:30/06/1997 (1) Any person who contravenes regulation 4(1)(a) or (b) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5. (24 of 1988 s. 4) (2) Any person who employs a child or causes or permits a child to be employed in contravention of regulation 5 or 6 commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5. (24 of 1988 s. 4) (3) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of regulation 7 commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5. (24 of 1988 s. 4) (4) Any person who fails to comply with a requirement made by any officer under regulation 8 commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (24 of 1988 s. 4) (103 of 1995 s. 28) EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 10 (Repealed 56 of 2000 s. 3) VerDate:01/07/1997 Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 56 of 2000 s. 3 EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - REGULATION 10 Amendment of Schedule VerDate:30/06/1997 The Governor may, by order, amend the Schedule. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE SCHEDULE VerDate:01/09/2006 [regulations 6(2)(a) & 10] PROHIBITED OCCUPATIONS 1. In any premises or place where intoxicating liquor is sold and consumed. 2. Without prejudice to section 15 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap 132 sub. leg. BK), in the handling for gain or profit of any refuse in any public place. (78 of 1999 s. 7) 3. In the handling or delivery of any dangerous goods to which section 3 of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap 295) applies. 4. At any machine which, by reason of its cutting, grinding, rolling, pressing, crushing or similar action, is dangerous. 5. In any of the following premises or places, that is to say- (a) any dance hall, billiard saloon, mahjong, tin kau or gambling establishment; or (b) any premises or places at which any fixed odds betting or pari-mutuel betting, cash sweep or lottery is organized or conducted. (17 of 2006 s. 23) 6. In any place of public entertainment except in with a stage performance the net profits (if any) of which are devoted to purposes other than the private gain or profit of the promoters of the performance. 7. In the kitchen of any hotel boarding house, cooked food shop, cafe, restaurant or any establishment of a similar kind. 8. In outside window-cleaning at more than 3 m above ground level. 9. In any abattoir or slaughter house, within the curtilage of any abattoir or slaughter house or in any premises used in therewith. 10. In any hair-dressing saloon or massage parlour. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE SCHEDULE VerDate:01/01/2000 [regulations 6(2)(a) & 10] PROHIBITED OCCUPATIONS 1. In any premises or place where intoxicating liquor is sold and consumed. 2. Without prejudice to section 15 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap 132 sub. leg. BK), in the handling for gain or profit of any refuse in any public place. (78 of 1999 s. 7) 3. In the handling or delivery of any dangerous goods to which section 3 of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap 295) applies. 4. At any machine which, by reason of its cutting, grinding, rolling, pressing, crushing or similar action, is dangerous. 5. In any of the following premises or places, that is to say- (a) any dance hall, billiard saloon, mahjong, tin kau or gambling establishment; or (b) any premises or places at which any totalizator or pari-mutuel betting, cash sweep or lottery is organized or conducted. 6. In any place of public entertainment except in with a stage performance the net profits (if any) of which are devoted to purposes other than the private gain or profit of the promoters of the performance. 7. In the kitchen of any hotel boarding house, cooked food shop, cafe, restaurant or any establishment of a similar kind. 8. In outside window-cleaning at more than 3 m above ground level. 9. In any abattoir or slaughter house, within the curtilage of any abattoir or slaughter house or in any premises used in therewith. 10. In any hair-dressing saloon or massage parlour. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE SCHEDULE VerDate:30/06/1997 [regulations 6(2)(a) & 10] PROHIBITED OCCUPATIONS 1. In any premises or place where intoxicating liquor is sold and consumed. 2. Without prejudice to by-law 15 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances (Regional Council) By-laws (Cap 132 sub. leg.) and to by-law 15 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances (Urban Council) By-laws (Cap 132 sub. leg.), in the handling for gain or profit of any refuse in any public place. 3. In the handling or delivery of any dangerous goods to which section 3 of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap 295) applies. 4. At any machine which, by reason of its cutting, grinding, rolling, pressing, crushing or similar action, is dangerous. 5. In any of the following premises or places, that is to say- (a) any dance hall, billiard saloon, mahjong, tin kau or gambling establishment; or (b) any premises or places at which any totalizator or pari-mutuel betting, cash sweep or lottery is organized or conducted. 6. In any place of public entertainment except in connection with a stage performance the net profits (if any) of which are devoted to purposes other than the private gain or profit of the promoters of the performance. 7. In the kitchen of any hotel boarding house, cooked food shop, cafe, restaurant or any establishment of a similar kind. 8. In outside window-cleaning at more than 3 m above ground level. 9. In any abattoir or slaughter house, within the curtilage of any abattoir or slaughter house or in any premises used in connection therewith. 10. In any hair-dressing saloon or massage parlour.