New Code of Practice for licensed premise employers

Irish Minister for Labour Affairs, Tom Kitt, has launched a Code of Practice for young people who work in licensed premises, as well as two new sets of regulations governing the employment of 16-17 year olds in related trades.

The Code of Practice contains information designed to assist both employers and employees with regard to identifying the obligations, responsibilities and entitlements associated with employing 16 and 17 year olds in licensed premises, and is the result of collaboration between numerous organisations, including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Hotels Federation, the Licensed Vintners Association and the National Parents Council.

Minister Kitt added: "It is timely that I am signing these regulations, given the current summer holiday period when many 16 and 17 year olds will work in licensed premises. Some of these will perhaps be gaining their first experiences of work. It will be important that their entitlements are spelt out and clearly understood through the Regulations and through the Code of Practice and the department's information on the act.

“Taken as a package, they place the employment of young people firmly in the context that education comes first. In the final analysis long-term job security is tied in with their opportunity to get a good education. There is a well-established clear link between early school leaving and long-term unemployment".

Minister Kitt urged all parties to the Code to play their parts in ensuring that it is implemented in a practical and effective manner, to the benefit of all concerned.

(CL)