No. Child labor under 14 is prohibited in the Netherlands under the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) and Child Protection Act (Wet op de Kinderbescherming). Exceptions exist only for light, supervised work in cultural, educational, or charitable settings, strictly regulated by the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, NLA) and municipal youth services. Violations trigger fines up to €10,000 per child, with stricter penalties under the 2026 Youth Employment Compliance Act aligning with EU Directive 2024/1203.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Netherlands
- Age Threshold: Employment under 14 is banned, except for children aged 12–13 in light work (e.g., delivering newspapers, assisting in family businesses) with parental consent and NLA approval.
- Work Limits: Maximum 2 hours/day on school days, 7 hours/day on weekends, capped at 12 hours/week during school terms. No work before 6 AM or after 7 PM.
- Supervision & Safety: Mandatory adult supervision; hazardous sectors (e.g., construction, manufacturing) are off-limits. Employers must submit work plans to the NLA for pre-approval.