Don’t roll back child work protections
Don't roll back child work protections El Dorado News-Times
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A Bad Move: Proposal to Roll Back Child Labor Protections in Wisconsin
A proposal has been released in Wisconsin that aims to roll back child labor protections. This move is concerning, and it is hoped that the Legislature will reject it.
Parental Rights and Work Permits
The bill, unveiled on Friday, seeks to allow children aged 14-15 to work without a work permit or parental permission. This is a contradictory stance, considering the concerns some legislators have expressed regarding parental notification for students’ reading materials in schools. The decision to allow minors to have jobs should be seen as a parental rights issue.
Importance of Youth Employment
While it is generally agreed that providing youth with job opportunities is beneficial, it is important to recognize that earning a paycheck at a young age is a significant step towards adulthood. It serves as a reminder of the importance of working hard in school. First jobs may not always be the most rewarding or enjoyable, but they teach students the value of academic achievement and open doors to better opportunities in the future.
Current Child Labor Laws
Under current law, children aged 14-15 can still pursue employment opportunities with their parents’ permission and a work permit that can be revoked by the state if the child’s safety is compromised.
Removing Administrative Barriers or Compromising Safety?
The proponents of the bill argue that it will enhance job opportunities for young individuals. However, their statement about removing “needless administrative barriers that slow down the hiring process” raises concerns. This seems to be more about allowing businesses to hire individuals who may not have the ability to advocate for themselves or possess the necessary experience to discern what is safe and acceptable in the workplace.
Troubling Timing and Previous Incidents
The timing of this proposal is particularly troubling. Earlier this year, Packers Sanitation, a Wisconsin-based company, was fined by the Labor Department for employing minors as young as 13. These children were tasked with cleaning equipment in meat packing plants, including dangerous tools such as bone saws and skull splitters. The company’s claim of not realizing the workers’ age is questionable.
This proposal is part of a concerning pattern. Previously, there was criticism of a proposal to allow 14-year-olds to work in bars, serving alcohol. The argument was based on the distinction between serving alcohol to someone at a bar versus someone sitting at a nearby table.
Changes in Child Labor Laws
Child labor restrictions were even more stringent in the past. However, in 2017, Wisconsin eliminated the requirement for work permits for 16 and 17-year-olds. This decision can be better justified, as society trusts older teenagers to operate vehicles on the roads due to their increased maturity and physical capabilities. There is a significant difference between a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old in terms of development and responsibility.
Sacrificing Child Safety for Short-Term Gains
Using child safety as a bargaining chip in response to a tight labor market is irresponsible. It represents a regression towards a time when child labor was the norm, rather than prioritizing child education. In 1900, approximately 18% of all workers were under the age of 16.
Opposition to child labor laws in the early 1900s was largely driven by agricultural concerns. While it is understandable that children have historically worked on family farms, the Great Depression prompted a shift towards prioritizing adult employment and removing children from the workforce.
Education as the Key to Progress
Children aged 14 and 15 belong in school, not in the workforce. A well-educated population is crucial for modern economies, and education is the only way to achieve that. We cannot sacrifice future progress and the well-being of these children for short-term industry fixes.
— Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, August 20
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the importance of education (SDG 4) and the potential impact of allowing child labor on the workforce and economy (SDG 8). It also highlights the potential inequalities that could arise from rolling back child labor protections (SDG 10).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- 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 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.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
The article emphasizes the need to provide relevant skills for employment (SDG 4.4), highlights the risks of child labor (SDG 8.7), and discusses the potential inequalities that could arise from allowing child labor (SDG 10.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 4.4: Number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment.
- Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of children engaged in child labor.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Measures of social, economic, and political inclusion of children.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but it implies the need to measure the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment (SDG 4.4), the number of children engaged in child labor (SDG 8.7), and the measures of social, economic, and political inclusion of children (SDG 10.2).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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 youth and adults with relevant skills for employment. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 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. | Number of children engaged in child labor. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Measures of social, economic, and political inclusion of children. |
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: eldoradonews.com
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