The Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind a motion to reform rules on teenagers being allowed to work and called on Tynwald to approve the changes.
Kate Lord-Brennan looking to see a reform in laws around teenagers working to enable more flexibility and opportunities for young people.
The Chamber described the proposed reforms as a “starting point for a broader review” to create “greater flexibility for employers and more meaningful work opportunities for young people”.
The current regulations, Chamber argued, are “overly restrictive,” deterring businesses from offering part-time or seasonal roles due to “complexity, compliance risk, or uncertainty.”
As a result, many teenagers miss out on “Saturday and summer jobs that were available to previous generations.”
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Chamber highlighted the dual benefits of such roles, stating they “help businesses to address labour shortages” while allowing young people to “gain experience and develop life skills.”
This is particularly important, it noted, for a generation whose “education and social development was affected by Covid lockdowns at a crucial time.”
The business network called for a “considered and balanced review” that:
- Enables “safe, age-appropriate work opportunities for young people”
- Offers “clear, consistent guidance to employers”
- Restores “confidence regarding work experience placements”
- Rebuilds “the bridge between education and employment”
Chamber urged Tynwald to back the motion, calling it “a step in the right direction.” However, it stressed that broader discussions are needed on skills and employment, including the impact of “AI and other technologies”.
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