Biden administration to address 4,400+ new child labor cases in the US since October

Biden administration to address 4,400+ new child labor cases in the US since October

The Biden Administration Takes Strong Measures to Crack Down on Child Labor

The Biden administration is intensifying its efforts to combat the use of child labor in dangerous and exploitative ways. In a recent announcement, the Department of Labor revealed that it would be implementing new strategies and partnerships to enforce child labor laws more effectively. This comes in response to alarming statistics that demonstrate an increase in children being employed illegally.

Between October 2022 and July 2023, the Department of Labor reported a staggering 44% surge in the number of children employed in violation of federal law. This significant rise is accompanied by an 87% increase in penalties imposed on companies that engage in such practices. Consequently, 4,474 children were found to be working illegally during this period, leading to a total of $6.6 million in penalties. The department currently has over 700 open child labor cases.

Julie Su, the acting Secretary of Labor, emphasized the importance of addressing child labor, stating, “Child labor is an issue that gets to the heart of who we are as a country and who we want to be. Like the President, we believe that any child working in a dangerous or hazardous environment is one child too many.”

To strengthen the fight against child labor, the Department of Labor will implement cross-training programs aimed at increasing reporting rates of exploitation across various departments. These trainings will be extended to agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Office of Refugee Resettlement, child welfare agencies, and programs assisting homeless and runaway youth. Additionally, the Department of Labor has collaborated with other departments, including Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, the US Small Business Administration, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Recognizing the global nature of the issue, the Labor and State Departments have joined forces with leadership from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to combat exploitative child labor, especially among migrant children.

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The Department of Labor has also taken steps to ensure that young people are aware of their rights. They have added more resources to the Wage and Hour Division’s website and created “Know Your Rights” videos. Moreover, they are working closely with the Department of Education to educate young individuals about their rights regarding child labor.

These efforts follow the establishment of the Interagency Task Force to Combat Child Labor Exploitation in February 2023. The task force was created in response to a troubling 69% increase in illegal child labor findings between 2018 and 2022.

The increase in child labor can partly be attributed to labor shortages across various sectors of the economy. Some employers have resorted to employing younger individuals to fill these positions. However, this practice not only violates the law but also endangers the well-being and development of the children involved.

Recent investigations have uncovered instances of child labor at major companies, including McDonald’s, Sonic, and Monogram Meat Snacks LLC. These investigations revealed that children were being employed below the legal minimum age, working excessively long hours, and exposed to hazardous conditions.

For instance, in May, it was discovered that 62 McDonald’s franchise locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio had employed 305 children beyond the legally permitted working hours. Additionally, these minors were made to perform tasks that are prohibited for young workers. Sixteen more McDonald’s franchise locations in Louisiana and Texas were found in violation of child labor laws the following week, impacting 83 minors.

2022 witnessed the highest annual number of children working illegally in hazardous jobs since 2011, according to the Wage and Hour Division. This concerning trend highlights the urgency of addressing child labor issues.

Interestingly, while the Department of Labor is adopting stronger measures to combat child labor, some states are introducing legislation that actually weakens child labor laws. States such as Missouri, Ohio, and South Dakota have proposed paying youth employees less than the minimum wage and expanding the types of jobs that 14- and 15-year-olds can perform.

In conclusion, the Biden administration is committed to vigorously addressing the issue of child labor. By implementing new strategies, partnerships, and outreach programs, they aim to protect children from dangerous and exploitative working conditions. This dedication to eradicating child labor comes at a critical time when states are considering regressive legislation regarding child labor laws. It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being and future of our children and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, free from exploitation.

• Child Labor
• Child Labor Law
• Department of Labor