On this World Day Against Child Labor, let's shed light on the child labor laws in Thailand. Thailand has made significant strides in addressing the issue of child labor and protecting the rights of young workers. The Labor Protection Act B.E. 2541 (Amended) sets out specific provisions to ensure the safety, welfare, and development of children and young workers in the country.
Here are some key provisions outlined in the act:
1.Prohibition of Employment of Children: The law strictly prohibits the employment of children under the age of fifteen as employees. This provision ensures that children are not subjected to hazardous or exploitative work environments.
2.Employment of Young Workers: For young workers aged between fifteen and eighteen, employers must comply with certain requirements. These include notifying a Labor Inspector within fifteen days of the young worker's employment, maintaining a record of employment conditions, and notifying the Labor Inspector about the termination of employment within seven days.
3.Rest Periods: Employers are obligated to provide young workers with a rest period of at least one consecutive hour after working for no more than four hours. Within these four hours, young workers are entitled to additional rest periods determined by the employer.
4.Night Work: Young worker are generally prohibited from working between 22:00 hours and 6:00 hours. However, exceptions can be granted by the Director-General or a person entrusted by the Director-General in cases such as young workers involved in film, theater, or similar performances. In such cases, proper rest periods must be provided.
5.Overtime and Holiday Work: Employers are prohibited from requiring young workers under eighteen years of age to work overtime or on holidays. This provision ensures that young workers have sufficient time for rest, education, and personal development.
6.Prohibited Work: Certain types of work are explicitly prohibited for young workers under eighteen years of age. These include work involving hazardous substances, metal smelting, metal pressing, work in dangerous environments, driving heavy machinery, and other activities prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.
7.Workplace Restrictions: Young workers are prohibited from working in specific places such as slaughterhouses, gambling establishments, and recreation places, as governed by the law and Ministerial Regulations.
8.Protection of Wages: Employers are prohibited from demanding security deposits from young employees and paying their wages to any other person. Additionally, employers cannot deduct money or benefits provided to young workers from their wages.
9.Leave Entitlement: Young workers are entitled to leave for attending meetings, seminars, education, training, or other approved activities arranged by academic institutes or government/private agencies. During such leave, employers are required to pay wages equivalent to a working day, up to a maximum of thirty days per year.
The child labor laws in Thailand aim to protect the well-being and development of children and young workers, ensuring they have access to education, rest, and a safe working environment. These laws emphasize the importance of upholding children's rights and promoting their overall quality of life.
On this World Day Against Child Labor, let's continue to raise awareness, advocate for the eradication of child labor, and support the enforcement of laws that protect the rights of children worldwide.
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