Working Age

The FSLA permits the employment of persons between the ages sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) only in occupations that the Secretary of Labor does not declare to be hazardous or detrimental to the health of children. Children between the ages of 14 and 16 are permitted to work (1) in occupations other than manufacturing and mining that are not oppressive child labor (i.e., that do not interfere with the child’s education, health, or well being); and (2) when the parent or person in place of the parent employs his or
her child under 16 in most occupations (excluding mining and manufacturing or other occupations that the Department of Labor prohibits).

Where the FSLA does not apply, the age at which people in Puerto Rico can legally work is 14, but the employment of persons between 14 and 18 years of age is subject to certain restrictions. Specifically, employees under 19 years of age should not work more than eight (8) hours in one day, six (6) consecutive days in one week, or for more than forty (40) hours in one week. Moreover, employees under 16 years of age should not start work before 8:00 a.m. or work after 6:00 p.m., and employees between 16 and 18 years of age should not begin before 6:00 a.m. or work after 10:00 p.m.

Source: A Guide To Doing Business in Puerto Rico, published by the Government of Puerto Rico.