U.S. at critical juncture as child labor violations continue to rise

Child labor violations across the U.S. are rising as lawmakers have been rolling back state child labor protections. The U.S. is at a legislative crossroads. Will we finally see a reversal in moves to weaken regulations or must more children be injured or killed in workplaces across the U.S. as efforts to undermine protections continue to be pursued?  

A recent article in The Guardian details a new report providing a blueprint for stronger workplace laws for children. Underlining the current rise in injuries of children on the job and child labor violations, report authors say it has never been more urgent to strengthen, not weaken child labor protections. 

Injuries up and protections down 

In over 30 states in the U.S., legislators have been steadily weakening child labor protections citing labor shortages. Happening side by side are some shocking statistics that should be raising alarm bells to these legislators.  

Between 2011 and 2020 the rate of injury for child workers (under the age of 18) nearly doubled. Child labor violations across the board quadrupled between 2015 and 2022. And hazard occupation violations for child workers more than doubled for the same period.  

Reid Maki, director of child labor advocacy and coordinator at the Child Labor Coalition who is one of the organizations that contributed to the report said: 

“We need to look for ways to make work safer for kids and not expose them to unnecessary hazards. We’re particularly concerned about the idea that tobacco has never been added to the list of hazardous occupations, and we know that kids in the US are farming tobacco, are harvesting tobacco, and they’re getting sick while doing it.” 

The report claims the rising rates of child labor violations, injuries and chronic school absenteeism should act as sufficient motivation for the incoming administration to adopt the report’s recommendations. The report also notes that the rollbacks happening at the state level often conflict with federal law. 

More regulation needed for child workers, not less 

The report was researched and authored by Governing for Impact, the Economic Policy Institute, and Child Labor Coalition. The report states the recent rollbacks have actually served to increase violations. They have sown confusion among employers about which regulations apply. And advocates argue that the statistics show even if all the current regulations were enforced, it wouldn’t be enough to keep child laborers safe. Rather than reducing protections, as has been happening at the state level in many states, the report argues the federal government should be expanding protections and enforcement across the country.  

Nina Mast, policy and economic analyst at the Economic Policy Institute, said:  

“At the time when we’re seeing violations on the rise, and we’re simultaneously seeing states go back on their commitment to raising standards to be above federal minimums, I think it’s really urgent that we address our federal standards and raise them for children across the country who may be working in hazardous environments or in an environment that is not appropriate for someone of their age.” 

The report provides a roadmap for revised federal regulations. Making loopholes and exemptions clearer and acting as a “bright line rule” for employers. Some of the report’s specific recommendations are expanded protections for child workers in hazardous agricultural jobs. Something that hasn’t happened in nearly 60 years. 

Additionally, working overnight shifts for 16-17 year olds in a non-agricultural setting should be declared “particularly hazardous”. And requirements for rest breaks and days off should be stepped up. On top of policy changes, the report advocates for additional funding and personnel for the U.S. Department of Labor to enable them to adequately enforce and address child labor issues. 

Urgent action needed to protect children 

The alarming uptick in infringements of child labor laws accompanied by state legislators’ relentless efforts to weaken existing protection standards for children in the workforce only encourages exploitation. And it risks leading to a slide towards modern slavery for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, children.  

Reed Shaw, policy counsel at Governing for Impact stated: 

“The legal authority is there, the empirical data is there. And so it’s time for the Department of Labor to implement some of these changes to protect workers.” 

At a time when large numbers of unaccompanied vulnerable minors are crossing the border into the U.S. Freedom United is calling for all child workers to be protected from exploitation. Add your voice and sign our petition to say NO to child labor law rollbacks.