Bill cracking down on child labor law violations heads to Alabama House floor
Bill cracking down on child labor law violations heads to Alabama House floor WRBL
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Employers Face Increased Penalties for Violating Child Labor Laws
Employers must abide by the law when running a business or hiring new help, especially concerning workers under the age of 18.
The “Crimes Against Children Remedy” Bill
The “Crimes Against Children Remedy” bill aims to increase penalties for employers in Alabama who violate child labor laws.
Penalties for Child Labor Violations
Penalties given by the Department of Labor apply to child labor violations, such as allowing someone under 21 to serve alcohol or letting a minor operate dangerous machinery.
Proposed Bill Increases Fines
Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma) said that under current law, monetary penalties for some child labor violations are less than a traffic citation. The proposed bill bumps fines from $1,000 to $5,000 minimum for certain violations.
Rise in Child Labor Infractions
Sen. Stewart says many industries have seen an increase in child labor infractions.
- Hazardous meat packing
- Construction jobs
- Manufacturing jobs
Felony Charges for Injuries or Deaths
The bill would also raise some violations to a felony if children are hurt or die while working illegally.
Advocate Calls for Further Action
Dev Wakeley, a worker policy advocate for Alabama Arise, says this is a step forward to ensure these employees’ safety. He also suggests the bill should go one step further by removing tax incentives for companies that step out of line.
Improving Workplace Environments
Sen. Stewart said that his bill does not keep children from working, but rather would improve workplace environments across the state.
Unanimous Passage in Senate
The bill passed unanimously in the Alabama Senate. It is scheduled for a vote Tuesday on the Alabama House floor. If it passes, it will go to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk for her signature.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (ILO methodology) |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article relate to child labor violations and the need for stronger penalties to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the workforce.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The article emphasizes the need to increase penalties for employers who violate child labor laws and highlights the rise in hazardous jobs where child labor infractions occur. These targets aim to eradicate child labor and protect children from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (ILO methodology)
- Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation
The article mentions the increase in child labor infractions in various industries, indicating the need for measuring the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. Additionally, the mention of raising violations to a felony if children are hurt or die while working illegally highlights the importance of tracking the number of victims of human trafficking and their forms of exploitation.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (ILO methodology) |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation |
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Source: wrbl.com
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