No. Child labor under 14 is prohibited in Switzerland under the Federal Act on Compulsory Education (SR 413.1) and the Ordinance on the Protection of Young Workers (SR 822.115.2). Exceptions exist only for light, non-hazardous family-based work, strictly regulated by cantonal authorities and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Switzerland
- Compulsory Education Act (Art. 13): Bans employment under 15, with exceptions for supervised cultural, artistic, or sporting activities requiring cantonal approval.
- Ordinance on Young Workers (Art. 2): Permits light work (e.g., household chores, family business) only if it does not interfere with schooling or health, with daily limits of 2 hours on school days.
- SECO Oversight: Cantonal labor inspectorates (e.g., Service de l’emploi in Geneva) enforce compliance, with 2026 amendments tightening penalties for violations involving minors under 14.
Local authorities (e.g., Office de l’enfance in Vaud) may authorize exceptions for apprenticeships in vocational training, but these require parental consent and pedagogical oversight. Violations risk fines up to CHF 40,000 under the Labor Act (SR 822.11).