The Legault government finds it abnormal that children aged 11 to 14 work and plans to legislate to better regulate child labor.

Questioned on Tuesday during question period in the National Assembly, the Minister of Labor and Employment, Jean Boulet, did not rule out the possibility of a new law, after consultation with all the parties concerned.

“I will await an opinion or recommendation from the Labor and Manpower Advisory Committee. But if it is necessary to intervene in a legislative way, it will be done at the appropriate time”, indicated Jean Boulet.

In response to Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy who asked him if he found it normal for 11-year-old children to work between 12 and 18 hours a week, Mr. Boulet pleaded in favor of a reflection on this important issue.

“Currently, I still rely on the parties to ensure that the health, safety, physical and psychological integrity of children are protected,” retorted Minister Boulet, who evokes a “worrying” issue.

The member for Saint-Laurent cited the example of Amanda, 11, who works between 12 and 18 hours a week, with all that this implies on the risk of dropping out of school, a phenomenon which has almost doubled in the regions. , according to Ms. Rizqy.

"In the law, it is clearly provided that an employer must ensure that the work does not exceed the capacities of the child and does not have an impact on his social or moral development", tried to reassure M Ball.

The Minister recalled that the labor legislation requires that a child under 14 years old has the consent of his parents to work, whereas, according to the law, a child under 16 years old without a diploma must not work during the class hours.