‘Irresponsible and dystopian’: Indiana Senate discusses child labor bill
‘Irresponsible and dystopian’: Indiana Senate discusses child labor bill WNDU
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Bill to Relax Indiana’s Child Labor Laws Sparks Debate in State Legislature
INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – A bill that would relax Indiana’s child labor laws is causing some tension among adults in the Indiana Legislature.
With the session winding down, it was one of 19 bills considered today by the Senate. In fact, it was one of only two bills that was hotly debated.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Right now, the state prohibits 14, 15, and 16-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. on a school night. The bill would extend those hours, and prohibit placing any such restrictions on 16 to 18 year olds.
Proposed Changes to Child Labor Laws
- Allow 16-year-olds to work as many hours as they want during the week
- Remove restrictions on 16 to 18 year olds
“In this legislation, you are now saying that a 16-year-old can work as many hours as they want during the week in the state of Indiana,” explained Sen. Gregg Taylor, D-Indianapolis.
“Aligns with federal law,” said Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon.
“Yesterday, we heard the argument that child labor laws, by weakening them, that it would help address our workforce shortage,” said Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis. “That is irresponsible and dystopian, if I can be frank, to respond to our workforce shortage in this way. We cannot be saying, as a body, that we’re struggling to fill jobs and so we’re going to weaken protections for kids so they can pick up the slack.”
“With the teenaged labor participation rate down almost 20% in the last 30 years, this may be the very problem that our kids aren’t succeeding academically and there are some gaps in that, because they’re not finding that work ethic, they’re not finding their way,” said Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington.
“All of this language in here is a may, not a shall, its not requiring any youth it’s not requiring any employer to work, parents are in control, I think that’s the most important thing here, when you’re talking about minors – parents are in control,” Buchanan said.
Supporters say the bill simply brings Indiana’s child labor laws are in line with the rules at the federal level, in the name of consistency.
Senate Vote
The bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 39 to 9.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education – The article discusses the potential impact of relaxing child labor laws on the academic success of children.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article mentions the argument that weakening child labor laws could help address workforce shortages.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights concerns about weakening protections for children and potentially exacerbating inequalities in the workforce.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- 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 – The article discusses the potential impact of work experience on the academic success of children.
- 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms – The article indirectly addresses this target by discussing the relaxation of child labor laws.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 4.4: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) employed or in education or training – The article mentions the decrease in teenaged labor participation rate over the last 30 years, indicating a potential indicator for measuring progress towards this target.
- Indicator for Target 8.7: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group – The article discusses the potential relaxation of child labor laws, which indirectly relates to this indicator.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) employed or in education or training |
| 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms | Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | N/A | N/A |
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: wndu.com
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