DOLE limits working hours for children in show biz

Children in the entertainment and information industries can no longer work beyond four hours based on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s new guidelines for their protection.

As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified its campaign against child labor in line with the celebration of National Children’s Month this November.

Under the new DOLE guidelines on the issuance of work permit for children, a child below 15 years of age is not allowed to work for more than four hours on any given day and not more than 20 hours a week.

Children are also not allowed to work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. of the following day.

DOLE said the maximum of four hours includes all projects of the child and nighttime scenes shall be shot during daytime with the use of production facilities that can simulate night.

When a child’s performance is scheduled beyond 8 p.m., DOLE said the television network may tape it prior to the broadcast.

“Rest periods of short duration during work hours shall be counted as hours worked,” DOLE noted.

The law prohibits employment of children, but exception is given for those participating in public information and entertainment.

Public entertainment or information under Department Order No. 65-04 is defined as “Artistic, literary and cultural performances for television show, radio program, cinema or film, theater, commercial advertisement, public relations activities or campaigns, print materials, internet and other media.”

However, DOLE stressed the need for employers or parents to secure a working child permit whether local or overseas, regardless of the role and even if the projects are non-profit or for political advertisements.