Editorial: Maine needs stronger child labor protections
Child labor laws need to be stronger in Maine Bangor Daily News
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Child Labor Violations and Workplace Injuries in Maine
The BDN Editorial Board operates independently from the newsroom, and does not set policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com.
Introduction
Many employers in Maine continue to face a workforce shortage, with an unemployment rate that is significantly lower than the national average and a large number of vacant jobs.
Child Labor Violations
There are no simple solutions to the worker shortage. But illegally employing children should not be part of the mix.
The Maine Department of Labor has reported an increase in labor law violations involving young workers. The violations include employing youth workers without a work permit, working outside of the hourly restrictions for their age and working in hazardous occupations not allowed under the law.
Increase in Workplace Injuries
There’s also been an increase in injuries to youth workers, some of whom were illegally working in dangerous conditions or with dangerous equipment. Reports of teens being hurt on the job in Maine have doubled in the past 10 years, according to state labor officials. In 2022, there were 325 such reports, compared with 162 in 2012, according to Workers’ Compensation data. In the second quarter of 2023, the department completed three separate investigations involving youth workers that were injured while doing prohibited work.
National Trends
These trends mirror national growth in child labor law violations, even as many states seek to weaken protections for young workers.
Maine Labor Laws for Minors
With some exceptions, those under 16 cannot drive or operate hazardous power-driven machinery, under Maine ’s labor laws for minors. Those 16 and 17 years old cannot drive on public roads or operate most power-driven machinery, including meat slicers and excavation equipment.
Call for Stronger Laws
“Most Maine employers comply with the nearly identical state and federal legal restrictions designed to protect the health, safety, and education of our minors,” Michael Roland, director of the state Bureau of Labor Standards, said last week. “However, we have also been observing a marked increase in the numbers of work permits denied, violations of child-protective labor laws, and most disturbingly, in reported injuries to minors in Maine’s workplaces.”
Last year, these injuries included a teen worker who cut off a finger while using a wood splitter while working for a yard care company in Lisbon. A 17-year-old was injured while using a meat slicer at an Arby’s in Presque Isle. And a 16-year-old was injured when they crashed a truck they were driving for a logging company. All of this work was illegal for the teens to perform. The companies faced small fines.
Increase in Demand for Youth Workers
These injuries and violations come as the demand for youth workers has increased. The Department of Labor reported a 75 percent increase in applications for minor work permits from 2017 to 2022.
“Employers in Maine and throughout the country are experiencing a tight labor market, and as a result are relying more heavily on younger workers to meet their workforce needs,” the Department of Labor said last week.
Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This increased demand and the troubling rise of child labor law violations and increase in youth workplace injuries are a reminder that Maine lawmakers must be cautious about efforts to ease labor laws. Lawmakers this year rejected legislation to allow teenagers to work longer hours. However, lawmakers approved changes in recent years that allow teens to work more hours and to work in previously prohibited positions.
Rather than becoming more lenient, lawmakers should consider changes to strengthen laws, including harsher penalties, to ensure the safety of teen workers.
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 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4 as they involve violations of labor laws that affect the education and well-being of young workers. SDG 8 is also relevant as it addresses decent work and economic growth, which are impacted by the illegal employment of children. Additionally, SDG 16 is connected as it focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, which includes enforcing labor laws and protecting the rights of young workers.
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.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
Based on the article’s content, SDG 4.4 is relevant as it highlights the need to ensure that young workers have the necessary skills for decent employment. SDG 8.7 is also applicable as it emphasizes the eradication of child labor and the protection of young workers from hazardous conditions. SDG 16.2 is connected as it aims to end the exploitation and abuse of children in the workforce.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of labor law violations involving young workers
- Number of injuries to youth workers
- Number of work permits denied
- Number of reported injuries to minors in workplaces
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of labor law violations involving young workers, the number of injuries to youth workers, the number of work permits denied, and the number of reported injuries to minors in workplaces. These indicators reflect the extent of child labor violations, workplace injuries, and the enforcement of labor laws.
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 work permits denied – Number of reported injuries to minors in workplaces |
| 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. | – Number of labor law violations involving young workers – Number of injuries to youth workers |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of labor law violations involving young workers – Number of injuries to youth workers |
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: bangordailynews.com
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