Child Labor Violation Surge Sparks Watchdog Probe of DOL Efforts
Child Labor Violation Surge Sparks Watchdog Probe of DOL Efforts Bloomberg Law
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The US Department of Labor’s Response to Child Labor Violations
Introduction
The US Department of Labor’s independent watchdog is launching a probe into the agency’s response to a recent surge in child labor violations in the US workforce.
Investigation by the Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General has notified the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division about its plan to investigate the division’s efforts to curtail child labor law violations and determine the causes behind the increasing number of violations.
Rising Child Labor Violations
Multiple media reports and department investigations have uncovered hundreds of children working in dangerous and illegal conditions, including cases involving undocumented migrant children. The DOL’s wage division has concluded 765 cases involving 4,474 children employed in violation of federal child labor laws in the past 10 months alone. Overall, there has been a 69% increase in child labor violations from 2018 to 2022.
Specialized Enforcement Taskforce
The DOL launched a specialized enforcement taskforce earlier this year to strengthen its investigations and improve the identification of signs of child exploitation.
Call for More Funding
The Biden administration officials and Democrats argue that the wage division, responsible for enforcing laws protecting minors at work, is understaffed and underfunded. They emphasize the need for additional funding from Congress to achieve their goals.
Republican Perspective
Republicans, on the other hand, attribute the child labor problem to the Biden administration’s failure to address illegal immigration and criticize the DOL for inadequate enforcement.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 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.
- SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets
- Number of child labor law violations reported and investigated by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
- Number of children employed in violation of federal child labor laws.
- Percentage increase in child labor violations from a specific period (2018-2022).
- Number of cases concluded by the wage division involving child labor violations.
- Level of funding allocated to the wage division for enforcing child labor laws.
Table: 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. | – Number of child labor law violations reported and investigated by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. – Number of children employed in violation of federal child labor laws. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | – Number of cases concluded by the wage division involving child labor violations. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. | – Percentage increase in child labor violations from 2018 to 2022. – Level of funding allocated to the wage division for enforcing child labor laws. |
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Source: news.bloomberglaw.com
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