Working in Portugal - Special Categories

Child labour

The Código do Trabalho lays down rules for protecting children and young people. The minimum age for entry into employment is 16. An exception is made, however, for young people under 16 years of age who have completed compulsory schooling, who may carry out light work. The latter is considered to be the performance of simple, well-defined tasks which do not require physical or mental effort that may jeopardise their physical integrity, health or physical, mental and moral development.

Special legislation prohibits or restricts the performance of work which by its nature or the conditions in which it is provided is prejudicial to the physical, mental and moral development of minors, who are prohibited from carrying out the following activities, for example: the industrial slaughter of animals, exposure to high overpressure radiation and atmospheres, contact with high voltage electrical power, exposure to certain chemical agents, work in discotheques, nightclubs and similar establishments.

The employer must provide for employed minors to be given medical examinations to ensure their health and safety. They must undergo a medical examination before they start work or within 15 days of starting work, and then every year.

Working hours for children must be so arranged as to allow them to take part in educational or vocational training programmes. Minors are not allowed to work overtime. Night work is only allowed in special circumstances.

Participation of minors in shows and other activities

Minors may take part in shows and other activities of a cultural, artistic or advertising nature, particularly as actors, singers, dancers, extras, musicians, models or the like, including the corresponding rehearsals. Minors under the age of 12 may take part in circus activities only under the supervision of a parent, legal representative or elder sibling. Activities involving contact with wild animals are not permitted. The activities referred to are subject to the authorisation of the commission for the protection of children and young people in the minor's area of residence. The periods of activity are regulated in special legislation that determines, for example, that minors between the age of three and six may only perform activity for two hours per day and four hours per week.

As a general rule, employers must facilitate the employment of workers with a reduced capacity for work due to age, sickness or accident, and must provide appropriate working conditions and wages and promote or help them to take part in suitable training and professional development initiatives.

Protected employment

People with disabilities who have an average capacity for work equal to or greater than one-third of the normal capacity for work may benefit from a special scheme of employment that makes provision for personal and professional development to facilitate their transfer to a normal job. Various benefits associated to the creation of 'Protected Employment' are available to employers.

Workers attending study courses

These are people who perform activity under the authority and management of an employer and who attend any level of academic education, including postgraduate courses, in an educational institution. The status of worker attending study courses is conditional upon their level of achievement. Workers attending study courses benefit from release from work for up to six hours per week, without loss of rights and without being required to work overtime, except on grounds of force majeure.

Useful information:

• Código do Trabalho [Labour Code], Law No 99/2003 of 27 August
• IDICT – Instituto do Desenvolvimento e Inspecção das Condições de Trabalho [Institute for the Development and Inspection of Working Conditions]
  Praça de Alvalade, 1 - 1749-073 Lisbon
  idict@idict.gov.pt
  Tel: 217 924 500
  Fax: 217 924 597

Text last edited on: 12/2004

Source: European Union
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