Starting January 1, Denmark will allow young workers between 13 and 17 to handle machines in industrial settings. The new rules aim to give more teenagers access to part-time jobs while maintaining safety standards.
More Opportunities for Young Workers
Beginning on January 1, Danish teenagers will face fewer restrictions when looking for a part-time job. The government is easing the ban that previously prevented workers under 18 from using machines such as floor sweepers and electric pallet trucks. This change is part of a broader plan to get more young people involved in the labor market, especially in industries facing shortages of skilled workers.
Before, many workplaces had to say no to younger employees because of strict regulations that limited what they were allowed to do. The new approach puts responsibility on employers to assess risk instead of applying a blanket ban.
Industry Welcomes the Decision
In Esbjerg, companies like Esbjerg Gods are pleased with the new rules. The firm had to dismiss 27 young workers earlier this year due to regulatory conflicts. Now, those same employees may soon return once the new law is in effect. Management sees this as both an opportunity for the company and for the teenagers themselves.
By allowing younger workers to operate basic machinery, companies can introduce them to industrial environments earlier. For many, this could become a first step toward an apprenticeship or a full-time position in the future.
Safety Still Comes First
While the regulations are becoming more flexible, safety remains a top priority. Employers must carry out a detailed risk assessment for every task a young person performs that involves machines or technical equipment. They are also required to ensure ongoing supervision.
According to Danish labor organizations, the key to safety lies not in banning certain tasks, but in teaching young workers how to manage risks correctly. Employers will hold even greater responsibility for their training and supervision.
Teenagers See New Possibilities
Students at Bakkeskolen in Esbjerg are also optimistic. Fifteen-year-old Linnea Koch, who works at a burger shop on Fanø, believes the new rules create fairer opportunities. In her view, some businesses have avoided hiring younger workers mainly because older employees can work longer hours. These changes, she hopes, will make it easier for teenagers like her to find diverse job experiences.
Her classmate, Kaya Ladegaard, who works at a local supermarket, agrees that the shift opens doors. She sees it as a chance to explore what kind of career she might want later, possibly even in fields like manufacturing or logistics. For students this age, part-time jobs are more than just a source of income; they are a way to gain discipline, teamwork skills, and a better sense of responsibility.
Why the Law Is Changing
The Danish government designed the new rules in collaboration with labor unions and employer organizations. Currently, just three percent of young Danes have jobs in industrial sectors, compared to nearly twenty percent working in supermarkets. Officials hope the update will change that imbalance.
The new legislation is part of a broader government initiative to make part-time work more accessible to youth, especially in industries struggling to attract qualified workers. It ensures that 13- and 14-year-olds on internships are also covered by safety and risk assessment requirements, aligning with existing European Union standards on workplace safety for minors.
Three Main Points in the New Regulation
The simplified rules focus on three key elements:
1. Employers must perform a detailed risk evaluation before young employees work with machines or other technical equipment.
2. Certain hazardous materials remain off-limits to people under 18 under EU regulations. For anything not on that list, employers must still conduct a risk assessment.
3. Students aged 13 and 14 doing internships at companies are now covered under the same framework as older youths.
Overall, Danish officials aim to make it easier for young people to start working safely, to build experience early, and to strengthen the connection between schools and workplaces.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How do I find work in Denmark?
The Danish Dream: Finding a work in Denmark for foreigners
DR: Fra første januar kan unge fritidsjobbere sætte sig bag maskiner i industrien
