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LABOR RIGHTS
Don’t Turn Back the Clock on Child Labor
Violations increase, state laws weaken in efforts to add workers
With America’s children behind academically and struggling mentally from pandemic consequences, some business and state leaders now push a dangerous policy: Weaken child-labor laws.
More companies are violating federal protections passed 85 years ago, and state officials seek ways to allow minors to work longer hours, in more dangerous jobs and with less liability to employers. The changes impact children in a range of jobs — in fields, factories and fast-food venues.
The Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a crackdown on child labor after tracking a 69-percent increase in illegally employed kids since 2018. In the last fiscal year, at least 835 companies employed more than 3,800 children illegally, according to the agencies.
The number of minors employed in violation of federal laws increased 37 percent in the last year, according to a study by the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute. At least 10 states introduced or passed laws rolling back child-labor protections in the past two years.
While there are definite benefits to teens gaining work experience, there is peril…
