Riigikogu decided to relax working time restrictions for minors
On 19 November, the Riigikogu adopted amendments to the Employment Contracts Act which, among other things, will allow a 15–16-year-old who has completed basic school, or a minor who has turned 17, to work full-time even during the school term. In addition, a 7–12-year-old, a 13–14-year-old and a compulsory-school-age minor of at least 15 years of age will in future be allowed to work more hours on a non-school day than on a school day.
Employee who has completed basic school or turned 17
At present, a 15–16-year-old who has completed basic school or a minor who has turned 17 may work during the school term only up to 2 hours per day and 12 hours in a seven-day period. During school holidays, they are currently allowed to work 8 hours per day and 40 hours in a seven-day period.
The amendment will allow a 15–16-year-old who has completed basic school or a minor who has turned 17, if they so wish and with the consent of their legal representative, to work full-time, i.e. 8 hours per day and 40 hours in a seven-day period, also during the school term. This possibility was already in place before the amendments to the Employment Contracts Act that entered into force on 1 September this year.
Compulsory-school-age employee of at least 15 years of age
Soon, a compulsory-school-age minor of at least 15 years of age will be allowed to work 8 hours on a non-school day instead of the current 2 hours. However, the principle will remain that such minors may not work more than 12 hours in a seven-day period during the school term outside school hours.
During school holidays, they will still be allowed to work 8 hours per day and 40 hours in a seven-day period.
For the purposes of the amendment, a minor is considered to be subject to compulsory schooling until they have acquired basic education or reach the age of 17.
13–14-year-old employee
In future, a 13–14-year-old minor will be allowed to work 7 hours per day on a non-school day during the school term, instead of the current 2 hours. During school holidays, they will still be allowed to work 7 hours per day and 35 hours in a seven-day period.
7–12-year-old employee
The amendment will allow a 7–12-year-old to work 5 hours on a non-school day instead of the current 2 hours. The principle will remain that, during the school term, they may not work more than 12 hours in a seven-day period outside school hours.
In addition, a 7–12-year-old minor will in future be able to work during school holidays up to 6 hours per day and 30 hours in a seven-day period, instead of the current 3 hours and 15 hours respectively.
The amendments may enter into force later this year
The amendments will enter into force under the general procedure, i.e. on the tenth day following their publication in the State Gazette (Riigi Teataja). The exact date of entry into force is not yet known, but the amendments are very likely to enter into force still this year.
If you have any questions about working time restrictions for minors, you can write to the Chamber’s lawyers at juristid@koda.ee.