Students seeking part-time jobs at a job fair in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Students aged 15 and above will be allowed to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year, an increase from the previously proposed 20 hours.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs revised the regulations on student working hours in the latest draft amendment of the Employment Law.

The previous draft proposed that students aged 15 and above could work part time for no more than 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 48 hours per week during vacations.

However, after receiving feedback from various ministries and agencies, the drafting committee made adjustments to allow students enrolling in formal education programmes and meeting the legal working age to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year.

The new draft also removes the previous regulation of ‘no more than 48 hours per week during vacations’.

Similarly, changes have been made regarding overtime pay. The earlier draft stated that student wages would be based on agreements between the employee and employer, considering actual working time, workload and job quality.

The latest draft adds that student wages must be agreed upon between the employee and employer, but must not be lower than the hourly minimum wage.

Other related regulations have also been adjusted. Specifically, students working part time must inform their educational institutions of their employment status.

Employers must comply with labour laws when employing students.

Educational institutions are responsible for monitoring and supporting student workers after they have informed the institution of their employment.

Explaining these changes, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that limiting weekly working hours ensures flexibility for students.

Recently, the drafting committee sent an official letter to the Ministry of Justice requesting an appraisal of the amended Employment Law.

On March 15, the committee sought feedback from various ministries, sectors, and localities on the draft amended Employment Law. The draft was also posted on the Government and ministry's electronic portals for public opinion.

To date, hundreds of feedback documents regarding the draft amended law have been received from ministries, sectors, localities, organisations, businesses, and agencies.

After considering and responding to the feedback from ministries, sectors, localities, international organisations, agencies and individuals, the drafting committee will continue to finalise the amended Employment Law. – VNS