The Minister of Labour, Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Kaabi said this decision is intended to safeguard the rights of young people, providing them an opportunity to acquire an experience in labour market at an early age.

Earlier, only expatriates above 18 years of age were allowed to work in the country. Al Kaabi said that a part-time labour card also provides the opportunity to university students to obtain work experience, even before graduating.

“Young people can now acquire a job, if they meet the legal requirements, but, cannot work full-time, until they are 18 years of age,” Al Kaabi confirmed.

As per the new decision, teenagers are permitted to work for six hours on the whole, in all kinds of work, except a few specific jobs, wherein there are possibilities of being exposed to dangers or jobs that could harm their health.

Any expatriate teenager, who wishes to enter into a job, will have to apply for a labour card at the Ministry, after getting the approval of their parents. Al Kaabi added that legalizing their employment will help the ministry to monitor violations closely, and ensure that the teenagers are working in a healthy atmosphere and are under their parents’ supervision.

The system is likely to become applicable, once, the ministry’s system gets updated so as to accept a labour card for children at the age of 16.

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