Although the The minimum age for accessing employment in Colombia is set at 18 years.there are certain types of employment and mechanisms by which minors can be hired formally.
However, there are also activities that are prohibited for this population group as they are dangerous for their safety and interrupt their education, such as mining, construction, and power maintenanceamong others.
(Read: These are the vacancies available in the warehouse and logistics sector).
The law establishes the criteria that must be met so that a minor can perform work functionsIn the case of an extension of the working day, it is established that:
1. Adolescents over 15 and under 17 years of age may only work a maximum daytime shift of six hours a day and thirty hours a week and until 6:00 p.m.
2. Teenagers over 17 years of age may only work a maximum of eight hours a day and 40 hours a week and until 8:00 p.m.
3. If the adolescent is pregnant and is over 15 or under 18 years of age, she may not work more than four hours a day from the seventh month of pregnancy and during breastfeeding, without any reduction in her salary or social benefits.
(Can read: Colombians don’t like bosses: 7 out of 10 prefer to work without them).
Work contract
Now speaking of remuneration, Those minors authorized to work will have the right to receive a salary according to the activity performedas long as it is proportional to the time worked. Under no circumstances may remuneration be less than the minimum wage in force.
(Keep reading: This is the secret to having happier workers, according to an expert).
In the case of work or employment authorization for indigenous adolescents It will be conferred by the traditional authorities of the respective community, taking into account their customs and practices. Failing this, the authorization will be granted by the labor inspector or by the first authority of the place..
The permit process
To obtain work authorization for adolescents and, exceptionally, for boys or girls, parents or guardians or, failing this, the family defendertogether with the minor’s employer, must request permission from the labor inspector,
He Ministry of LaborAs the entity in charge of inspecting and monitoring these matters, it has a form and also has the 120 line available to provide advice.
(We recommend: Dane opens call for 230 jobs with salaries up to $ 2,800,000: requirements).
Likewise, it will be responsible for receiving the required documentation. Thus, the following documents can be submitted at the Ministry of Labor service desks.
– National Single Work Authorization Form for Adolescents and, by Exception, Boys and Girls, duly completed.
Attached documents:
– Birth certificate
– When the teenager is a high school graduate (with technical or technological training):
a) Photocopy of the diploma and high school certificate.
b) Entrance examination indicating the young person’s health status.
c) Study of the job (requested by the employer to the ARL).
d) Study of the risk panorama (requested by the employer to the ARL).
e) Certificate of existence and representation of the company.
f) If you are a natural person, a photocopy of your citizenship card.
– When the teenager is not a high school graduate:
a) Letter of commitment to study, where they undertake to enroll in an educational institution and in any case to provide the necessary time to continue the educational or training process.
(Read More: Uncommon professions in Colombia that you may not have known about).
Work contract
The Ministry of Labor, after receiving the documentation related to the application, will assign an appointment for the study of the case, verification and, if appropriate, delivery of authorization with the labor inspection closest to your municipality (In the absence of this authority, it will be referred to the family commissioner or municipal mayor’s office).
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the authorization to work, It may be denied or revoked if the minimum guarantees of health, social security and education of the adolescent are not provided..
BRIEFCASE
*With information from EL TIEMPO – JUSTICE
