Working in Germany - Special Categories

Child labour is banned under the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (Law on the protection of young people at work). The law draws a distinction between children (aged up to 14) and young people (aged between 15 and 18). The same provisions as apply to children also apply to young people in full-time education. However, children who are at least 14 and not in full-time education may be employed for up to seven hours a day and 35 hours a week in light jobs appropriate to them. Such jobs include copying and performing errands, for example. The minimum age for the regular employment of a young person in a business is 15.

Severely disabled people enjoy special protection against dismissal. Termination of the employment of a severely disabled person by the employer requires the prior consent of the Integrationsamt (Central Agency for the Disabled). Any notice of termination given by the employer without such consent is ineffective.

The Mutterschutzgesetz (Law on maternity protection) protects pregnant women and mothers primarily against dismissal and in most cases also against temporary reduction of income. The special protection against dismissal exists during pregnancy and for up to four months following the birth of the child. In addition, the ban on employment protects the health of the mother (to be) and the child against hazards in the workplace. The period of maternity protection commences in principle six weeks before the due date and normally ends eight weeks after the birth of the child and, in the case of medically premature births and multiple births, twelve weeks after birth.

Text last edited on: 11/2006

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2007
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