CRFA applauds changes to minimum working age for restaurant employees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2008
REGINA – Today’s announcement that Saskatchewan will modify the minimum working age for the foodservice sector comes as welcome news to the province’s 2,100 restaurant owners.
Until now, employees under the age of 16 have been permitted to work in retail establishments, but not in restaurants, hotels, educational institutions, hospitals or nursing homes. Under the new regulation, 15-year-olds will be permitted to work a maximum of 16 hours per week in any of these sectors. The minimum working age in all other sectors will remain at 14.
“The decision announced today by Minister Norris is an important first step towards a level playing field for all employers,” says Courtney Donovan, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s Vice President for Manitoba-Saskatchewan.
More than 32,000 people work in Saskatchewan’s foodservice industry, and 51% are under the age of 25.
“Whether it's for a year or a career, foodservice provides young people with critical job skills, including time management, teamwork, customer service and problem-solving,”says Donovan. “We’re pleased that the government is moving toward a more consistent minimum working age that recognizes our industry’s contributions and that removes barriers to work for those young people seeking first-time job experience.”
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