Dubai: The recent decision to allow young people above the age of 16 to have a part time job will give an opportunity for teenagers to get labour market exposure and grow professionally, said an official at the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Teenagers sponsored by their parents or universities can undertake part-time work, Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, earlier told Gulf News.

He issued a decision that allows people from the age of 16 to undertake part-time work in the country. A part-time labour card also gives an opportunity for university students to get work experience before graduating, he added.

Young people can now acquire a job if they meet the legal requirements, but they cannot work full-time until they reach 18, said Al Ka'abi.

Maurizio Bussi, Deputy Regional Director at the ILO's Regional Office for Arab States, speaking to Gulf News over the phone from Beirut said that the UAE's recent decision to allow youth employment is in accordance with labour market standards and can be beneficial for young people.

"Youth employment gives an opportunity to young people to access the labour market, familiarise themselves with work, upgrade their skills and become more productive," said Bussi adding that this type of work is an international practice adopted by many countries across the world.

Labour shortage

Youth employment can also give an additional boost to the economy if there is a labour shortage in the respective country which young people can partially fill, Bussi pointed out.

However, ILO's regulations stipulate that a clear set of rules has to be in place to ensure that youth work will not endanger the young person at work.

"Protection is the main element in the legalisation of youth employment. The rules must ensure that youth employment will not jeopardise the health, safety and morale of the working teenagers," said Bussi.

The International conventions dealing with youth labour and ratified by the UAE stipulate that governments should prohibit work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.

"Young people should take part of light work are totally prohibited in taking up work that will endanger them physically or psychologically," said Bussi adding that each country should establish or designate appropriate mechanisms to serve this purpose.

ILO's general principles

The minimum age 'shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years'.

The country may, after consultation with organisations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, authorise employment or work from the age of 16 years on condition that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that the young persons have received adequate instruction or vocational training in the relevant branch of activity.