Published Friday, 29 December, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
NEW INDUSTRIAL LAWS FOR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TAKE EFFECT
Queensland’s child employment laws are being updated to prohibit the exploitation of children and babies and to clarify workplace health and safety requirements for the entertainment industry, Employment and Industrial relations Minister John Mickel said today.
Mr Mickel said a new amendment regulation accompanying the Child Employment Act 2006 limits children under 13 to delivery work and spells out guidelines for children and babies working in the entertainment industry. It contains a list of safeguards for work involving nudity or semi-nudity and bans women under 18 from working as topless waitresses.
The amendment follows on from the review of child labour in Queensland conducted by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian which resulted in the Child Employment Act 2006, which came into effect on July 1.
The changes take effect from January 1, 2007.
“The regulation limits to 40 hours maximum the amount of work AND school attendance for children under 16 working in the entertainment industry and clarifies the role of parents and supervisors,” Mr Mickel said.
”The regulation prohibits an employer from requiring or permitting anyone under 18 years working while they are nude or partially nude. This includes topless waitresses but allows for strictly supervised and constrained performances in the entertainment industry – for example babies doing television commercials.
“The entertainment industry has special requirements because of its unique nature and the erratic hours often involved. This amendment provides a guide for the industry and takes into account the educational needs and professional aspirations of young workers.”
Mr Mickel said the entertainment industry had also featured in a crackdown by industrial inspectors on the activities of private employment agents.
An audit of 22 Brisbane agents found no payments irregularities, although none of the agents had distributed information statements to their clients as required by law.
The information statements include advice on fee payments, services and responsibilities, including a declaration that agents should not charge more than a 10 per cent fee for finding or attempting to find work for their clients. The audit found a number of agents were charging fees of up 20 per cent, which is what managers alone can charge.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
29 December 2006
Mr Mickel said a new amendment regulation accompanying the Child Employment Act 2006 limits children under 13 to delivery work and spells out guidelines for children and babies working in the entertainment industry. It contains a list of safeguards for work involving nudity or semi-nudity and bans women under 18 from working as topless waitresses.
The amendment follows on from the review of child labour in Queensland conducted by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian which resulted in the Child Employment Act 2006, which came into effect on July 1.
The changes take effect from January 1, 2007.
“The regulation limits to 40 hours maximum the amount of work AND school attendance for children under 16 working in the entertainment industry and clarifies the role of parents and supervisors,” Mr Mickel said.
”The regulation prohibits an employer from requiring or permitting anyone under 18 years working while they are nude or partially nude. This includes topless waitresses but allows for strictly supervised and constrained performances in the entertainment industry – for example babies doing television commercials.
“The entertainment industry has special requirements because of its unique nature and the erratic hours often involved. This amendment provides a guide for the industry and takes into account the educational needs and professional aspirations of young workers.”
Mr Mickel said the entertainment industry had also featured in a crackdown by industrial inspectors on the activities of private employment agents.
An audit of 22 Brisbane agents found no payments irregularities, although none of the agents had distributed information statements to their clients as required by law.
The information statements include advice on fee payments, services and responsibilities, including a declaration that agents should not charge more than a 10 per cent fee for finding or attempting to find work for their clients. The audit found a number of agents were charging fees of up 20 per cent, which is what managers alone can charge.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
29 December 2006