The Danish government is moving to allow 15-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants. Currently, the minimum age is 18.
Venstre business spokesperson Torsten Schack Pedersen believes the current legislation is too tight and that younger people should be allowed to work in restaurants as servers so long as they are supervised by an adult.
“We are talking about places where the main purpose is serving food,” Pedersen told Avisen. “In other words, not bars, so we are quite comfortable with the idea.”
Set ‘em up, sonny
Both the trade union 3F and opposition party SF are strongly against the government’s proposal.
“So we allow a 15-year-old to serve alcohol and be responsible for the further intake of a broad-shouldered man who has become too drunk,” said SF business spokesperson Lisbeth Bech Poulsen. “The idea is beyond the pale and we cannot support it.”
Restaurants in favour
The current law forbids minors from working in places that serve spirits (hard liquor). The government’s proposal would allow 15-year-olds to clean and wash up, and would also permit them to serve customers until 11 pm under the supervision of an adult.
The restaurant industry has been a long-time proponent of easing the legislation.
