Introduction
The country of Canada just like the United States has come up with several laws and regulations protecting its public. These laws are supposed to protect the citizens from exploitation and to ensure equity and justice among the citizens. The United States government has throughout the years come up with laws and regulations that are meant to protect, preserve and guide it citizens in everything that they do. The labor sector has come up with laws that govern the eligibility of people to work within the country.
The United States has the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) which has set 44 hours a week as the maximum amount of time one can be allowed to work in a week. It also allows the employee to earn extra for any extra hours worked. The act also prohibits the minimum age of workers in a bid to protect minors from oppressive labor. The children under 16 years are also not allowed to do certain dangerous jobs that might interfere with their health. The act also prohibits them from working during school time.
Canada, on the other hand has the Canada Labor Code, which makes provisions for fair pay, normal hours that a worker can take on his job and the procedure for termination of one’s employment. The code requires for the employer to post the work schedule to the employees before they sign up. Although hours of work vary from one job to another the code provides that the actual hours that a worker should work must fall between 40 and 48 times “the number of weeks in the averaging period.” Any hours worked after the normal hours should paid by the employer as overtime. The law allows for the employment of minors under the age of 17 if the minor does not have to attend school during working time. However the minor cannot work in an underground mine nor do certain dangerous jobs that may affect his health. There is a minimum wage that all employees should be entitled to and in case of termination of work the employer must follow the well-laid rules to ensure equity and fairness to the employee.
Reference List
U.S. Department of Labor - History - Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938:. Dol.gov. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
Canada Department of Justice: Labor Code, Retrieved from http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/l-2/ Accessed on 23rd January 2014
Canada Department of Labor: Employment Standards, Retrieved from http://www.labour.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml Accessed on 23rd January 2014.
