Pond: End exploitation of children

Initiative to Protect Child Workers

Chris Pond, the MP for Gravesham, presented a private members bill to Parliament aimed at ending the "exploitation" of children by some employers.

Mr Pond, who came seventh in the ballot for private members bills, said he wanted to "drag" legislation covering child employment into the 21st century.

The last piece of legislation was in 1933, laying down rules on how many hours children can work and from what age.

Campaigners believe that many thousands of children work below the legal age of 13, others work too many hours, work too late at night or are in jobs prohibited by law.

Mr Pond, former director of the Low Pay Unit, said three quarters of all children's employment was illegal.

"Many children are being exploited as a source of cheap labour by unscrupulous employers, with their safety and education placed at risk," he said.

"Children's employment can be beneficial, helping build a sense of independence and responsibility by introducing young people to the world of work," continued Mr Pond.

"But exploitation must stop and the law reformed to reflect the realities of modern day working practice," he added.