Article 32 of the Convention recognises the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation, from performing hazardous work, and from work which interferes with education or which is harmful to health or to their physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. States Parties are required to take positive action to provide for a minimum age for employment, to regulate hours of work and conditions of employment and provide appropriate penalties to ensure the effectiveness of Article 32.

The Employment Ordinance , Cap. 57 , the Employment of Children Regulations , Cap. 57B and the Employment of Young Persons (Industry) Regulations , Cap. 57C contain provisions about the employment of children. For the purposes of the Employment Ordinance , the Employment of Children Regulations and the Employment of Young Persons (Industry) Regulations , a child is a person under 15 years of age. A young person is a person who has attained 15 years but not the age of 18 years.

For more information about youth as employees, please click here .