Legal regulation of child labor in Russia: key trends in the development of imperial and Soviet legislaton

Abstract

This article examines the formation and development of domestic child labor legislation from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of laws from the late 19th century, as well as Soviet labor codes. Over the decades, legislative approaches to regulating the labor of minors have changed repeatedly, demonstrating various, sometimes contradictory, vectors of development. Legal regulation in the labor sphere evolved from declarative norms to strict prohibitions. Particular attention is paid to labor regulations for adolescents during difficult years for the country (World War I, the Civil War, industrialization, and the Great Patriotic War). The authors highlight key stages in the development of legal regulation of minors' labor activities. The study identifies trends that have influenced the development of modern labor legislation regulating the labor of minors.