Children Under 15 Cannot Be Admitted
15 December 2009
Read by 1626 persons
Employee's Question
I work for a Moroccan company in the arts. The company recently announced auditions for children for a TV series. I want to audition my fourteen-year-old child.
I told my supervisor, who didn't object. However, a colleague said Moroccan law has special rules for minors, prohibiting arts companies from hiring children. I checked with HR again, and they said that was wrong; the labor code allows minors in the arts, under certain conditions. My child's application is still valid, but I'd like more information about child labor laws. Is child labor completely forbidden?
Employer's Opinion
The labor code sets the minimum working age at 15. Our company always follows Moroccan law, especially regarding child protection in the arts.
Our auditions are open to children aged 12-15. A jury will choose children for the TV series.
All candidates must be accompanied by a parent, who must give written consent. Selected children will sign contracts according to the labor code, with parental consent and legal assistance. We've informed the labor inspectorate to avoid problems.
Legal Advice
The 2004 labor code introduced many changes, especially regarding child labor. The minimum working age is now 15, not 12 as before. No company can hire anyone under 15.
The labor inspectorate can request medical examinations for minors (under 18) to ensure the work isn't too demanding.
Following a hearing with the parents, the inspector can order dismissal without notice if the doctor advises it.
Special rules apply to minors in the arts. The law forbids advertising that encourages children into artistic careers and emphasizes the financial aspect.
The law also forbids employing children under 16 in acrobatics, animal shows, circuses, or fairground attractions.
Minors under 18 cannot work as actors or performers in public shows by companies on a government list without written permission from the labor inspector and their guardian. This permission can be revoked by the inspector or anyone authorized to do so.
Minors under 18 cannot do dangerous acrobatics, contortions, or other risky work.
Professionals must have birth certificates or national ID cards for all minors they employ and show them to labor inspectors or local authorities if requested.
For labor code violations, labor inspectors or local authorities can call the police and inform the public prosecutor to stop the show.
Abdessamad Drissi, Labor Inspector
Published December 6, 2009
Posted online December 6, 2009
www.lematin.ma
I work for a Moroccan company in the arts. The company recently announced auditions for children for a TV series. I want to audition my fourteen-year-old child.
I told my supervisor, who didn't object. However, a colleague said Moroccan law has special rules for minors, prohibiting arts companies from hiring children. I checked with HR again, and they said that was wrong; the labor code allows minors in the arts, under certain conditions. My child's application is still valid, but I'd like more information about child labor laws. Is child labor completely forbidden?
Employer's Opinion
The labor code sets the minimum working age at 15. Our company always follows Moroccan law, especially regarding child protection in the arts.
Our auditions are open to children aged 12-15. A jury will choose children for the TV series.
All candidates must be accompanied by a parent, who must give written consent. Selected children will sign contracts according to the labor code, with parental consent and legal assistance. We've informed the labor inspectorate to avoid problems.
Legal Advice
The 2004 labor code introduced many changes, especially regarding child labor. The minimum working age is now 15, not 12 as before. No company can hire anyone under 15.
The labor inspectorate can request medical examinations for minors (under 18) to ensure the work isn't too demanding.
Following a hearing with the parents, the inspector can order dismissal without notice if the doctor advises it.
Special rules apply to minors in the arts. The law forbids advertising that encourages children into artistic careers and emphasizes the financial aspect.
The law also forbids employing children under 16 in acrobatics, animal shows, circuses, or fairground attractions.
Minors under 18 cannot work as actors or performers in public shows by companies on a government list without written permission from the labor inspector and their guardian. This permission can be revoked by the inspector or anyone authorized to do so.
Minors under 18 cannot do dangerous acrobatics, contortions, or other risky work.
Professionals must have birth certificates or national ID cards for all minors they employ and show them to labor inspectors or local authorities if requested.
For labor code violations, labor inspectors or local authorities can call the police and inform the public prosecutor to stop the show.
Abdessamad Drissi, Labor Inspector
Published December 6, 2009
Posted online December 6, 2009
www.lematin.ma
