Iowa businesses fined over child labor laws
Iowa businesses fined over child labor laws KWQC
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Iowa Businesses Fined for Violating Federal Child Labor Laws
DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – Iowa businesses across the state have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars this summer for violating federal child labor laws.
That’s because Iowa’s new laws about when 14- and 15-year-olds can work aren’t in line with federal regulations.
The federal Department of Labor is cracking down, especially on Iowa businesses that are allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work later than 9 p.m. this summer.
Iowa passed a law last year that lets young teens work until 11.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
State leaders are still trying to get a sense of the scope, but Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday some businesses are facing penalties of up to $180,000, and that some will be forced to close.
Iowa’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the Labor Department last week demanding more information. Lawmakers want to know about the businesses being investigated and an explanation for the large penalties.
Quad-Cities congressional Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks’s office told TV6 Investigates today she’s heard from “numerous” businesses in our area facing what she called “exorbitant fines.”
TV6 Investigates also talked to several of the big companies that employ a lot of teens. None wanted to go on camera, but one said they were still working through whether to comply with the state or federal law.
Fareway is one employer that lobbied in support of Iowa’s bill. TV6 Investigates asked the company if it had been fined. A spokesperson is yet to respond to written questions.
States across the nation have loosened child labor laws over the past two years. Advocates for the laws say putting younger people into the workforce helps them build new skills, and they can fill jobs that other workers won’t take.
Critics say the laws exploit children. Besides later hours, Iowa’s law allows children to work in places like meat coolers and industrial laundries.
Conclusion
- The federal Department of Labor is cracking down on Iowa businesses for violating child labor laws.
- Iowa’s new laws regarding the working hours of 14- and 15-year-olds are not in line with federal regulations.
- Businesses in Iowa are facing fines of up to $180,000 and potential closures.
- State leaders and lawmakers are demanding more information from the Labor Department.
- Advocates argue that younger people in the workforce can gain new skills and fill job vacancies.
- Critics believe that child labor laws exploit children.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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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.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to child labor laws and violations).
-
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.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill (relevant to the argument that younger people in the workforce can build new skills).
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. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to child labor laws and violations). |
| 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. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill (relevant to the argument that younger people in the workforce can build new skills). |
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 4: Quality Education.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses how Iowa businesses have been fined for violating federal child labor laws. This violation is relevant to Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The fines imposed on businesses indicate a violation of child labor laws, which is an indicator of the need for immediate and effective measures to address this issue.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions that advocates for loosening child labor laws argue that putting younger people into the workforce helps them build new skills. This argument aligns with Target 4.4 of SDG 4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and decent jobs. The article implies that younger people in the workforce can acquire new skills, which can be measured by Indicator 4.4.1, specifically the proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills.
Source: kwqc.com
