Portuguese law lays down rules to protect children and young people. Since the minimum age for providing work is generally 16, minors under this age who have completed compulsory schooling may carry out light work. This
is classified as performing simple, well-defined tasks that do not require physical or mental effort likely to jeopardise the minor’s physical integrity, health or physical, mental or moral development.
Working time for children must be defined so that they can take part in educational or vocational training programmes. Minors are not allowed to work overtime, and night work is only allowed in special circumstances.
Persons with a reduced capacity for work, the disabled and the chronically ill can choose a flexible working timetable in line with their specific needs and receive preference for part-time or telework. They are dispensed from the more flexible forms of working time organisation which could endanger their health or safety at the workplace, particularly night work and overtime.
Disabled persons whose average working capacity at least one third of normal may benefit from a special employment scheme. Such schemes benefit the employee and the employer, and cover recruitment and placement, professional retraining and rehabilitation, working conditions and adaptation to the workplace, seeking to integrate workers into “normal” situations or “protected work” (for people with a reduced capacity for work and limited autonomy). They may also enjoy preferential access or increased support to certain employment support or job creation schemes.
Pregnant women or women with children under 12 months of age and/or breastfeeding may apply to be exempted from working overtime and night work. They may also be dispensed from working to timetables organised in line with the adaptability scheme, time bank or concentrated work schedule.
Employees with family responsibilities (one or more children under 12 or, children of any age with a disability or chronic illness) may opt for the flexi-work scheme and be given preferential access to part-time work for up to a maximum of two to four years (according to the number of children under 12 years and/or those with a disability or chronic illness).
Text last edited on: 08/2009
Source: European Union © European Communities, 1995-2009 Reproduction is authorised.
