BOLTON education bosses are getting tough on employers who let children work long hours for a pittance.

A crack team of investigators will ensure schoolchildren are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers who take advantage of their need for ready cash.

Under new, updated by-laws, Bolton Council will publish a list of jobs which 13-14 year olds will be allowed to do and set down the number of hours children aged 13-16 are allowed to work.

Mr Derek Allen, an Education Social Worker with the LEA, said several years ago regular checks were carried out, but cut-backs in the service had resulted in these checks being dropped.

All employers who hire children are required by law to apply for a licence from the LEA, but those working in family businesses dod not require such a licence.

Cllr Eric Hyland, a newsagent who employs children, said: "As someone who employs children myself I am keen that everyone should comply with these by-laws.

Mr Barry Scanlon, Assistant Director of Education, said: "Clearly the Education Social Workers have a responsibility to carry out checks and I am sure they will do their level best to ensure employers comply with the law.

"But surely the prime responsibility should rest with parents. It is often because parents are allowing their children to work anti social hours that we need these by laws."

This view was challenged by Cllr Don Eastwood at a meeting of the Personal Services Sub Committee yesterday. He said: "At the end of the day the ultimate responsibility lies with the Government. They should ensure there are sufficient resources to correctly monitor the employment of children."

The committee has asked for an additional report to find out how many children are working across the borough, the hours they are working and their rates of pay.

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