<
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/11/us-child-labor-laws-violations>
"As child labor law violations have been on the rise in the US, some state
legislators are pushing for changes at state and federal levels to roll back
protections in what some see as a threat to return child labor to the country.
The laws aim to expand permissible work hours, broaden the types of jobs young
workers are permitted to do, and shield employers from liability for injuries,
illnesses or workplace fatalities involving very young workers.
Child labor law violations have increased in the US, with a 37% increase in
fiscal year 2022, including 688 children working in hazardous conditions, with
the number likely much higher as the recorded violations stem from what was
found during labor inspections.
The Department of Labor issued a press release in July 2022 noting child labor
violations and investigations have increased since 2015.
Several high-profile investigations involving child labor have been exposed
over the past year, including the use of child labor in Hyundai and Kia supply
chains in Alabama, at JBS meatpacking plants in Nebraska and Minnesota, and at
fast-food chains including McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts and Chipotle.
Amid these increases in child labor violations, legislative efforts have been
introduced in several states to roll back child labor protections.
In Iowa, Republican legislators introduced a bill in January to expand the
types of work 14- and 15-year-olds would be permitted to do as part of approved
training programs, extend allowable work hours, and exempt employers from
liability if these young workers are sickened, injured or killed on the job.
“It’s just crazy to me that we are re-litigating a lot of things that seem to
have been settled 100, 120 or 140 years ago,” said Charlie Wishman, president
of the Iowa AFL-CIO, which is opposing the bill."
Via Dave Farber.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
