Your island

What age should your child be able to have a paper round or work in the local corner shop?

New laws in Jersey could set out the age at which a young person can work, and the hours that they are allowed to work for.

It’s all part of a proposal being brought to the States to bring the island’s legislation into line with a United Nations convention.

The convention says that children have the right to be protected from exploitation and work which harms their education or health.

The proposal suggests children would be banned from working under the age of thirteen, and no young person would be allowed to work before six o’clock in the morning or after eight at night.

There would also be a limit to the number of hours 13, 14 and 15-year-olds could work each week.

The Assistant Health Minister, Senator James Perchard, told BBC Jersey that the legislation would cover formal employment, not helping Mum and Dad around the house with chores in return for money.

The senator explained that the States wanted to sign up to the agreement to “show the world that we believe in best practice and adopting best practice…and our children’s legislation is of the highest standard”.

He said he was unsure whether there was any existing legislation prohibiting children working at any particular age.

Senator Perchard added that he didn’t want to prohibit a child who showed initiative or independence in wanting to work and earn some money, but that the States had to ensure there was no exploitation.

Have your say

The States are asking your views on working regulations for children in a public consultation on the subject.

You’ve got until 27 February 2009 to give your opinions. Call Tracy Fullerton on 442277 for more information.

What do you think of the guidelines for working children?

Do you think all young people should learn the value of money and work with a Saturday job, or would you rather they stay out of the workplace while they are in education?