Next year, work permits are required for kids in showbiz, game shows

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a circular requiring work permits for children contestants in talent shows as well as for child actors appearing in advocacy materials or political advertisements.

In Department Circular No. 2, the labor department said a Working Child Permit is required if a child below 15 years of age:

1. a) will be engaged in public entertainment or information, whether local or overseas, regardless of his/her role in a project, such as lead, supporting, guest or regular extra. This includes projects which are non-profit, advocacy materials or political advertisements; or

1. b) is a foreign national and will be engaged in public entertainment or information in the Philippines; or

1. c) will be featured in a documentary material unless it is school-related requirement or project; or

1. d) will be engaged as regular extra or as part of a crowd and is included in the script or storyboard; or

1. e) has been selected for a project after undergoing auditions, workshops or VTR screenings; or

1. f) has been selected as semi-finalist in a singing, dance or talent contest for a television show.

According to DOLE, Republic Act No. 9231 provides that children below 15 years of age shall not be employed except:

1. a) When a child works directly under the sole responsibility of his/her parents or legal guardian and where only members of his/her family are employed; or

1. b) Where a child’s employment or participation in public entertainment or information is essential.

“In the above exceptional cases, the employer shall first secure a work permit from the DOLE before engaging the services of the child,” the labor department said.

It added that a child below 15 years of age may be allowed to work for not more than four hours in any given day and not more than 20 hours a week. A child is also not allowed to work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. of the following day.

“The maximum four hours of work per day is inclusive of all projects of a child. Whether a child is engaged in only one project or in several projects at any given day, his/her total work hours shall not exceed four hours a day and not more than 20 hours a week,” DOLE said in its circular.

It added that the guidelines shall take effect on 1 January 2018.