Employment of minors under the age of 16 is prohibited. From 16 to 18 years of age, only light work is permitted, for no more than six hours per day, with no night work and no heavy or dangerous work. A full medical examination is required for every person under 18 before employment, at the employer's expense. Violations of these provisions fall under the most severe category of sanctions.
This page shows the age limits, light work conditions, mandatory documents, and the corresponding fines.
Read also: Special Categories in Employment: The Complete Guide
Article 98 of the Code lays down unequivocally, with a definition that must be remembered.
| Age | What is allowed | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 years old | Only cultural, artistic, sporting, or promotional activities, with prior authorization. | 102 |
| 15 to 16 years old | Only during school holidays and only in light work. | 98, point 3 |
| 16 to 18 years old | Light duties, with special schedule limits. | 99, point 1 |
| Over 18 years old | Even difficult or dangerous jobs | 100 |
For the purposes of the Code, a child is any person under the age of 18. This means that a 17-year-old employee remains a minor for all intents and purposes, even after finishing school.
Caution: Children aged 15 to 16 may work only during school holidays. This means that any employment during the school year for this age group is illegal, regardless of the schedule or type of work.
Article 99, paragraph 2, defines it with two conditions that must be met simultaneously.
Light work is any work that, due to the inseparable nature of the duties and the special conditions under which it is performed, does not jeopardize the safety, health, or development of children, and does not impair their attendance in school, their participation in vocational programs, or their ability to benefit from this training.
The concrete list of light duties and the rules for maximum duration and conditions of performance are determined by the Council of Ministers, in accordance with Article 99, paragraphs 3 and 4.
Read also: Work schedule and daily and weekly limits
These are the limits that differ from those of an adult employee.
The last point is important. It means that boundaries aren't avoided by giving the relationship a different label, such as "practice" or "collaboration.".
Read also: Business interns and their boundaries
Article 103 makes it a precondition, not a subsequent formality.
Children under the age of 18 may be employed only after being certified as fit for work following a comprehensive medical examination. For certain jobs, the Council of Ministers may decide that adults up to the age of 21 must also undergo such examinations.
Paragraph 4 of Article 103 addresses the issue of cost. The employer is required to cover the expenses for the employee's medical examinations.
This is the only case where the law allows employment for those under 15, and it requires two conditions simultaneously.
Without prior authorization, the engagement is illegal even when the activity is entirely harmless.
In addition to the usual documents, an employee under the age of 18's file also contains the following.
1. Proof of age and, for ages 15 to 16, proof that the engagement falls within school vacation.
2. Report of the comprehensive medical examination conducted before the start of work.
3. Description of duties indicating that the job is among the light duties.
4. Proof of hours showing compliance with the 6-hour-per-day limit.
5. Proof of information and qualification regarding workplace risks, pursuant to Article 43.
6. Authorization by the Labor Inspectorate for cultural activities involving minors under the age of 15.
Read also: Employee file and mandatory records
The provisions protecting children are all in the first group of Article 202, i.e., the one with the highest level.
| Violation | Article | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| Employment below the legal age | 98 | 2,500,000 LEK |
| Hard or dangerous work under 18 years old | 100 | 2,500,000 LEK |
| Night work for under 18s | 101 | 2,500,000 LEK |
| Employment without a medical examination | 103 | 2,500,000 LEK |
| Exceeding the 6-hour-per-day limit | 78, point 3 | One million five hundred thousand LEK |
Each violation is punished separately, and when it involves multiple persons, the total can reach up to five times the maximum amount.
Read also: Fines under the Labor Code and how they are calculated
Sixteen years old. Article 98, paragraph 1, prohibits the employment of children under this age.
Only during school holidays and only in light work, according to Article 98, paragraph 3.
No more than 6 hours, according to Article 78, paragraph 3.
No. Section 101 completely prohibits it for employees under 18 years of age.
Yes, in full and prior to employment, pursuant to Article 103, paragraph 1. The employer covers the expenses.
Any person under the age of 18, pursuant to Article 98, paragraph 2.
Yes, even under 15 years old, but only with prior authorization from the Labor Inspectorate and in compliance with the light work conditions under Article 102.
Up to 50 times the monthly minimum wage, i.e., up to 2,500,000 LEK with a minimum wage of 50,000 LEK.
