FRIDAY the 13th is an unlucky day - for bosses who exploit children.

Local MP David Chaytor is today backing a Parliamentary Bill to protect the two million youngsters who work in Britain.

Mr Chaytor, who represents Bury North, said most adults are unaware of how many children work and of the potential dangers.

"Four out of every ten schoolchildren have a part-time job but, alarmingly, a third of those children are involved in an accident at work," he said.

British children make up one third of the total number of children working in Europe.

"But three quarters of British children are working illegally because they have no official work permit or are working illegal, often dangerous, hours," he added.

"Under the present legislation, which was framed in 1933, children from the age of 13 can work for up to 17 or 20 hours each week. If you add a full school week, plus homework, some children are working 60 to 63 hours every week," he said

"Most adults would shrink from that workload. For vulnerable schoolchildren these hours of working should be illegal in a civilised society," he added.

The Employment of Children Bill, which has its second reading today, proposes that youngsters work no more than two hours each school day and Sundays.

Saturday jobs will not be affected unless a child is working more than 12 hours a week.

The Bill aims to involve children, parents, schools, councils, employers and insurance companies in making sure protection is guaranteed.

"Working can often give children their first taste of independence and responsibility," said Mr Chaytor. "No-one is trying to stop that, but children who work must be free from exploitation and physical danger.

"The current legislation was framed at the time of the Great Depression. It is time it was modernised for the 21st century."

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