Kildee Leads New Effort to Combat Child Labor
Kildee Leads New Effort to Combat Child Labor Congressman Dan Kildee
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Cracking Down on Child Labor Violations: Urgent Action Needed
WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) today led 37 Members of Congress in urging congressional leaders to pass legislation to crack down on child labor violations across the United States. The letter supports President Biden’s request for additional funding for the U.S. Department of Labor to address child labor violations.
“Since 2018, violations of child labor laws have increased nearly 70 percent. According to reports, some children have been seriously injured, maimed and even killed in illegal working conditions…We urge you to pass this much needed funding to combat child labor and look forward to working with you to protect children from illegal dangerous working conditions and hold employers accountable when they violate our child labor laws,” the law makers wrote.
Child Labor Prevention Task Force
In July, Congressman Kildee and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) launched the Child Labor Prevention Task Force to address the child labor crisis more comprehensively and urgently in the United States.
List of Representatives Supporting the Letter
- Hillary Scholten (MI-03)
- Nanette Barragán (CA-44)
- Donald Beyer (VA-08)
- Yadira Caraveo (CO-08)
- André Carson (IN-07)
- Kathy Castor (FL-14)
- Judy Chu (CA-28)
- Yvette Clarke (NY-09)
- Danny Davis (IL-07)
- Anna Eshoo (CA-16)
- Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04)
- Daniel Goldman (NY-10)
- Al Green (TX-09)
- Stephen Lynch (MA-08)
- Seth Magaziner (RI-02)
- Kathy Manning (NC-06)
- Betty McCollum (MN-04)
- Morgan McGarvey (KY-03)
- James McGovern (MA-02)
- Gwen Moore (WI-04)
- Kevin Mullin (CA-15)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)
- Jimmy Panetta (CA-20)
- Bill Pascrell (NJ-09)
- Mark Pocan (WI-02)
- Katie Porter (CA-47)
- Raul Ruiz (CA-25)
- Linda Sánchez (CA-38)
- Jan Schakowsky (IL-09)
- Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
- Dina Titus (NV-01)
- Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)
- Jill Tokuda (HI-02)
- David Trone (MD-06)
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25)
- Nikema Williams (GA-05)
Full Text of the Letter
Dear Speaker McCarthy, Minority Leader Jeffries, Majority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader McConnell:
We are writing in support of additional dedicated funding to combat illegal child labor in any government funding legislation being considered this year.
The Biden administration included in its supplemental funding request to Congress $100 million in funding for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to investigate and hold accountable employers that are illegally exploiting child workers. We applaud the administration for recognizing the scale of this problem and seeking additional resources to address egregious child labor violations across the country. Even now, DOL is undergoing an independent assessment of the agency’s efforts to enforce child labor law – which we know have been strained by increased violations and limited funding. Clearly, these additional resources are badly needed and should be passed by Congress without delay.
Recently, Americans have seen disturbing reports documenting the rise of companies illegally employing children in dangerous jobs. These reports show child labor is a systemic issue in the United States, with children illegally making products for major corporations in the automotive, processed food and textile industries. Since 2018, violations of child labor laws have increased nearly 70 percent. According to reports, some children have been seriously injured, maimed and even killed in illegal working conditions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the issue of child labor violations, which is directly related to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It also touches upon SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- 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.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The article highlights the need to crack down on child labor violations, which aligns with Target 8.7 of SDG 8. This target specifically addresses the eradication of forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions the rise in violations of child labor laws and the need to protect children from illegal dangerous working conditions, which relates to Target 16.2 of SDG 16. This target aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
The article mentions the increase in violations of child labor laws, which implies the need to measure the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. This aligns with Indicator 8.7.1 of SDG 8, which measures the extent of child labor by sex and age group. Additionally, the article discusses the exploitation of children in dangerous working conditions, indicating the need to measure the number of victims of human trafficking, which relates to Indicator 16.2.2 of SDG 16.
4. 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. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
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Source: dankildee.house.gov
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