Ölcer faces court over employment of minors at Topp Kebab in Notodden

Haci Ömer Ölcer, the owner of Topp Kebab in Notodden, is set to appear in court on Monday for employing two 17-year-olds to work night shifts in 2022. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority issued him a fine of 75,000 kroner after discovering that the two teenagers worked over 130 hours each, primarily after 9 PM. Ölcer disputes the fine and faces the possibility that it could increase to 90,000 kroner along with additional legal costs.

The employees, including Mohamed Haji, claim they worked voluntarily and argue that the fine is excessive. Ölcer maintains that the regulations are difficult to interpret and believes he should have received a warning instead of a penalty. According to Norway’s Working Environment Act, employees aged 15 to 18 must have a minimum break of eight hours between 11 PM and 6 AM, and work between 9 PM and 11 PM qualifies as night work, which is generally prohibited.

Ölcer argues that he provided the teens the opportunity to earn extra money for personal reasons, such as saving for educational expenses. Haji still works part-time at Topp Kebab and insists he enjoyed his night shifts, stating that he voluntarily chose to work those hours.

Labour law advocates underline the importance of enforcing these regulations to protect young employees, highlighting that night work can have harmful health effects. They assert that many young workers are unaware of their rights regarding working hours. The court case aims to clarify the obligations of employers and ensure compliance with labor laws.