No, child labor under 14 is illegal in Italy under the Legge 977/1967 and the Codice Civile (Article 328), aligning with EU directives. Exceptions exist only for light work in cultural, artistic, or sports activities with Ministero del Lavoro authorization. Violations trigger penalties under Decreto Legislativo 81/2008.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Italy
- Absolute Prohibition: The Legge 977/1967 bans employment for minors under 14, except in supervised cultural/artistic roles with Ministero del Lavoro approval.
- Light Work Exemptions: Minors aged 13–14 may perform lavoro leggero (e.g., family businesses) under Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro oversight, capped at 7 hours/week.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Decreto Lavoro 2023 tightens enforcement, mandating digital age-verification systems for employers and annual audits by INPS.
Local labor inspectors (Ispettorati Territoriali) enforce these rules, with penalties ranging from €5,000 to €30,000 per violation. The Garanzia Giovani program further restricts underage labor by linking subsidies to compliance with Legge 977.