The child wants to work. Why Parents Should See a Potential Employer

The desire of a teenager to find a job is a good sign of growing up and independence. However, it is important for parents to know where their son or daughter plans to work, since children cannot objectively assess the conditions provided, because they have nothing to compare with. Why it is worth meeting with a potential employer, and what clarifying questions to ask when hiring, read the material of the correspondent of the agency “Minsk-Novosti”.

Prosecutors constantly monitor compliance with the legislation in the employment of minors and young people. During inspections, as well as on the appeals of citizens, cases are identified when employers provide adolescents with work, allowing serious violations. They often do so knowingly, taking advantage of children's legal illiteracy and their willingness to work. Prosecutors give a legal assessment of each fact.

For example, a 16-year-old student of one of the capital's colleges began to work in a shopping center - a classmate advised her to take a place. The girl was instructed to steam off the clothes coming on sale, to offer it to buyers. However, the teenager was not officially registered.

Such situations are not uncommon. Unscrupulous employers do not pay taxes, do not make contributions to the FSZN and can dismiss a child at any time without payment.

Also, the prosecutor’s office of the Soviet district revealed the fact that a minor girl, being officially registered, worked in a coffee shop with excess of the employment limit. At 23 hours per week, she worked 84 hours in March 2026 and 116 in April. At the same time, the employer put the due time in the registers, wanting to hide the violation. Moreover, the teenager was brought to work at a late hour, which is also prohibited by law, and she did not have the necessary medical certificate. Subsequently, the employer calculated the girl by the time specified in the sheets, respectively, without paying extra money. The prosecutor's office defended her rights.

If a child wants to find a job, you can contact the employment department of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Minsk City Executive Committee, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, as well as a social teacher in an educational institution.

According to art. 28 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus, it is impossible to establish probationary period for adolescents. Even if he agrees, this condition in the contract is considered invalid. Minors are also prohibited from engaging in heavy work or work that has harmful and (or) dangerous conditions. They cannot work at night or overtime.

Most often, violations of legislation in the field of employment and organization of work of minors are allowed by private organizations and individual entrepreneurs.

Competent commentary

- The conclusion of an employment contract in Belarus is allowed with a teenager who has reached the age of 14, said the Prosecutor of the Soviet district Anton Zagorovskiy. It can be designed to perform light activities that do not harm health and do not disrupt the learning process. However, the written consent of one of the parents (adoptive parents, trustees) will be required.

What is the working day for minors?

- At the age of 14 to 16 years - no more than 23 hours a week, from 16 to 18 years - no more than 35 hours a week. The duration of daily work of students of general educational institutions, as well as educational institutions providing vocational education, during holidays for workers aged 14 to 16 years can not exceed 4 hours 36 minutes, from 16 to 18 years - 7 hours. If a teenager wants to work in his spare time during the school year, his daily employment should not exceed 2 hours 18 minutes (from 14 to 16 years) or 3 hours 30 minutes (from 16 to 18 years).

- How much are they being paid?

- Despite the shortened working time, it is paid in the same amount as specialists of the corresponding categories with the full duration of daily work. The exceptions are students who receive general secondary, as well as special education at the level of general secondary education, vocational and specialized secondary education, who wish to engage in activities in their free time. Payment is made in proportion to the time worked or depending on the output. Employers can set additional salaries for students.

- Should teenagers have employment books?

- I will. The employer fills them in for anyone who works more than five days.

- Who most often violates the law on employment of minors?

- Private organizations and individual entrepreneurs. However, a few years ago, a case was revealed when one of the state enterprises withheld income tax from the salaries of children who worked in the student team in violation of paragraph 51 of Article 208 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus. The prosecutor's office immediately responded and the children were paid the missing sums.

If any facts of non-compliance with the legislation in the field of employment and organization of work of minors are detected, the specialists of the supervisory authority immediately take measures aimed at eliminating violations, protecting the rights of adolescents and bringing unscrupulous employers to justice. This prevents more serious violations because it disciplines employers.

Collage by Julia Logvin