Key practical points:
• Employing anyone under 16 is prohibited (arts/sport exceptions are rare and conditional on approvals and protection).
• Fines are usually charged per child per month of employment, rising to licence withdrawal for repeat offences.
• The employer is responsible for verifying a worker's age before hiring.
• Those aged 16 but under 18 are 'juvenile workers' with special protection (no hazardous, night or exhausting work).
• Brokers who supply children for work are also penalised.
• Schools, parents and local authorities should report cases of child labour.
👷 Labour law
Provisions on the Prohibition of Using Child Labour · Yalla China
禁止使用童工规定 / Provisions on the Prohibition of Using Child Labour
Enacted: 2002-10-01 ✅ Effective: 2002-12-01
📝 Overview
A State Council regulation that absolutely bans employing anyone under sixteen, with very narrow exceptions for arts and sport under conditions. It imposes heavy fines per child per month. The aim is to protect children and safeguard their schooling.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you run a business, restaurant or workshop, employing anyone under 16 is absolutely forbidden, and the fines are heavy, counted per child per month. Even those aged 16 to 18 have special protection. Verify the age of anyone before hiring. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
State Council / Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (mohrss.gov.cn)
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026