Part-time jobs

Priority question for written answer P-000399/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Morten Løkkegaard (Renew)

The directive that protects children and young people at work dates from 1994 and contains a number of strict requirements on what tasks and how much work Europe's children and young people can take on in their part-time jobs. It goes without saying that we must protect our children on the job market, but at the same time the rules should not be so restrictive that children and young people are actually prevented from taking up a part-time job.

Working part-time allows young people to experience the culture of work, giving them responsibility and a sense of community, as well as helping them learn the value of earning their own money. With that in mind:

• 1.Does the Commission acknowledge that there have been significant developments in the labour market since 1994, in terms of both tools and work culture, including in the area of part-time jobs, and that this means the current rules are not up to date?
• 2.Is the Commission currently planning to make the rules more flexible for children and young people in part-time jobs, in particular as regards the maximum number of hours school pupils can work per day and the times at which they are allowed to work?
• 3.Is the Commission currently planning to step up flexibility and transparency when it comes to the tasks that young people can take on in their part-time jobs?

Submitted: 30.1.2026