EDMONTON — A new study suggests thousands of children in Alberta are working illegally.
The Athabasca University study estimates 8,200 kids between the ages of nine to 11 are doing prohibited jobs, including doing janitorial work.
The report says about 26,000 children between the ages of 12 to 14 are on the job illegally.
The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on the provincial government to crack down on employment standards violations involving young people.
AFL President Gil McGowan says the province should not allow children as young as 12 to work in restaurants and should do more random inspections of work sites.
Earlier this year Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk announced his department will step up inspections of job sites that employ young workers.