Safeguarding age limitations on employment

Article 7 of the European Social Charter (Revised) (Strasbourg 1996) provides: With a view to ensuring the effective exercise of the right of children and young persons to protection, the Parties undertake: 1) to provide that the minimum age of admission to employment shall be 15 years, subject to exceptions for children employed in prescribed light work without harm to their health, morals or education; 2) to provide that the minimum age of admission to employment shall be 18 years with respect to prescribed occupations regarded as dangerous or unhealthy; 3)to provide that persons who are still subject to compulsory education shall not be employed in such work as would deprive them of the full benefit of their education; 4) to provide that the working hours of persons under 18 years of age shall be limited in accordance with the needs of their development, and particularly with their need for vocational training; 5) to recognise the right of young workers and apprentices to a fair wage or other appropriate allowances; 6) to provide that the time spent by young persons in vocational training during the normal working hours with the consent of the employer shall be treated as forming part of the working day; 7) to provide that employed persons of under 18 years of age shall be entitled to a minimum of four weeks' annual holiday with pay; 8) to provide that persons under 18 years of age shall not be employed in night work with the exception of certain occupations provided for by national laws or regulations; 9) to provide that persons under 18 years of age employed in occupations prescribed by national laws or regulations shall be subject to regular medical control; and 10) to ensure special protection against physical and moral dangers to which children and young persons are exposed, and particularly against those resulting directly or indirectly from their work.