Pathology of Child and Adolescent Labor in Family Business

Two different ages (15 and 18) have been defined by the Iranian Law as the minimum age for employment. More-over، workers aged 15-18 have been referred to as ''adolescent workers'' and special conditions have been set for their employment and work. However، there are some considerati-ons in the Labor Act which challenges with regard to children''s and adole-scents'' working. For example، articles 188، 191، and 189 of the Act provide grounds for the exemption of family workshops and businesses، workshops or firms with less than 10 employees، and certain activities in the agricultural sector from parts of the Act. The above mentioned exemptions، deprive many children and adolescents who are working in the private sector from their welfare rights since the majority of them are working in family busi-nesses، small firms (mainly owned and managed by family members and relatives)، and the agricultural sector. The present paper addresses this issue using a descriptive-analytical method، indicating relevant gaps in the coun-try''s legal system.