As a society, we have a duty to protect children from harm, but last year child labor violations rose by 37% in the United States. This is not only unacceptable, it is utterly unforgivable.Children are the most vulnerable members of our society, but in states across the country, from Alabama to Nebraska, companies like Hyundai and JBS Foods, are being sued by the labor department for employing children as young as 12 in unsafe working conditions. Even the world’s largest private equity firm, Blackstone, had to pay $1.5 million in penalties for illegally employing over 100 children to clean meatpacking plants.The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 was a milestone achievement in the history of labor rights. It established minimum wage, standard workweek, and outlawed child labor. Yet, Republican state lawmakers want to dismantle these laws in a blatant disregard for children’s lives. We must hold these corporations accountable and push lawmakers to take decisive action to protect our children. Demand your governor reject any and all efforts to roll back child labor laws now.
Child labor laws are in place to protect children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. These laws set age limits for employment, limit the hours that older teenagers can work, and establish minimum wage requirements. They also provide for regular inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance. The worrying trend of attacks on these laws isn’t just isolated to Alabama and Nebraska. In Iowa, lawmakers have introduced a bill, to allow children as young as 14 to work in hazardous jobs like construction, meatpacking, and mining. Similar challenges to child labor laws are also happening in Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, and even New Jersey.Rolling back these laws would expose children to a number of dangers. Younger children could be forced to work in hazardous conditions, missing out on their education and putting their physical and mental health at risk, while older children may work long hours for low pay, leaving them little time to pursue their interests or develop important life skills.The bottom line is that the consequences of rolling back child labor laws would be severe, not just for the children involved, but for society as a whole. Child labor is linked to poverty, inequality, and social unrest. By protecting children from exploitation, we are investing in a better future for everyone.Send a message to your governor right now, and join us in making a clear and compelling case for pushing back against any attempt to unwind child labor laws.Your message can help ensure that these laws remain in place, protecting children and promoting a brighter future for all.- Amanda Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
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