Child labor violations surge as more Gen Z teens work
Gen Z is working more, but child labor violations are increasing The Week
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Thousands of Teens Revitalize Part-Time Job Market
Gen Z is reversing the trend of forgoing work during their teenage years, with an increasing number of them seeking after-school and summer jobs. This shift has had a significant impact on the part-time job market, particularly in the service sector. According to The Washington Post, several restaurant owners have credited the influx of teen workers for keeping their businesses afloat.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 1: No Poverty
Why More Teens Want a Job
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of working teens. The Post’s analysis of Labor Department data shows that at least 250,000 more teens are now employed compared to before the pandemic. This surge in teen applicants has boosted employment in the restaurant and retail sectors and is changing cultural norms. In 2023, 37% of teens aged 16-19 had a job or were actively looking for one, the highest rate since 2009. This recent uptick breaks a pattern of declining teen employment that lasted for over four decades.
The availability of open entry-level positions, especially in hospitality and retail, has played a major role in attracting more teens to the workforce. Teens have cited various reasons for seeking work, including financial independence and the opportunity to try new things. Inflation has also influenced their decision, as they look to help their parents cover expenses or offset the rising cost of living.
“When the labor market is tight, more teens work,” says Elizabeth Ananat, an economics professor at Barnard College. The reopening of the country after lockdowns in 2020 created a high demand for employees in industries such as dining, shopping, and travel. However, businesses faced challenges in filling these positions as many service workers left for more lucrative jobs. This led employers to tap into the teenage labor market, which coincided with high school students transitioning from virtual schooling to in-person learning. As a result, the unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds reached a 70-year low during last year’s jobs boom.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
A Simultaneous Spike in Child Labor Violations
While the increase in teen employment has been positive, there has also been a concerning rise in child labor violations. Fast food companies have been illegally scheduling thousands of teens to work long, late hours, leading to a surge in violations. Franchised restaurants, including McDonald’s, Sonic, and Chick-fil-A, have been particularly implicated in these violations. Some companies have even hired children under 13 years old, violating laws designed to protect their safety and education.
The Post’s analysis of Labor Department data reveals that child labor violations have more than tripled in the last decade, with food service violations increasing nearly sixfold. In the first nine months of 2023 alone, officials found over 4,700 teens under 18 working in violation of federal child labor laws, with the majority of these violations occurring in the food service industry.
Despite these alarming trends, some states have loosened local mandates to allow teens to work longer hours. For example, Florida is considering a bill that would permit 16- and 17-year-olds to work over 40 hours during the school week. Critics argue that this bill undermines decades of laws protecting children from working excessively long hours and exposes them to potential exploitation.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are 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
The article discusses the increase in teen employment, which is connected to SDG 8 as it addresses the issue of decent work and economic growth. It also mentions the impact on education and cultural norms, which relates to SDG 4. Additionally, the article highlights the surge in child labor violations, which is connected to SDG 10 as it addresses reduced inequalities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- 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.
The increase in teen employment aligns with SDG 8.5, which aims to achieve full and productive employment for young people. The article also mentions the reasons why teens seek work, such as financial independence and trying new things, which relates to SDG 4.4, as it focuses on developing relevant skills for employment. The surge in child labor violations highlights the need to address inequalities and ensure the safety and well-being of children, which aligns with SDG 10.7.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of teens aged 16-19 with a job or actively seeking one
- Number of child labor violations
- Number of open entry-level positions in hospitality and retail
The article mentions that the percentage of teens aged 16-19 with a job or actively seeking one is at its highest annual rate since 2009, indicating progress towards SDG 8.5. The surge in child labor violations and the increase in open entry-level positions in hospitality and retail can be used as indicators to measure progress towards SDG 10.7 and SDG 4.4, respectively.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | – Percentage of teens aged 16-19 with a job or actively seeking one |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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. | – Number of open entry-level positions in hospitality and retail |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 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. | – Number of child labor violations |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: theweek.com
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