Employment of minor children in entertainment

The employment of minor children is common in the live and recorded entertainment sectors. As part of child protection, strict regulations are in place to protect children from abuse.

The Labour Code prohibits all minors from working before the age of 16, when they are released from compulsory education. A possibility of derogation is provided by law (Law n°63-808 of 6 August 1963) subject to a prefectoral authorization issued by the Departmental Director of Social Cohesion after opinion of the Departmental Commission of Children of the Show (Articles R7124-1 et seq. of the Labour Code).

The CDES de l'Hérault has put online a notice reminding the regulations and procedures to be carried out, as well as the file to be completed by employers:

Authorization for the participation of minors under the age of 16 in a live or recorded performance

For the other departments, you will find the State Department in charge of processing applications, namely the Departmental Unit of the Regional Directorate of Enterprise, Competition, Consumption, Labour and Employment (DIRECCTE), either the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion (DDCS) on the sites of department prefectures or by contacting each department.