Proposed bill could weaken Kentucky’s child labor laws
Proposed bill could weaken Kentucky's child labor laws WHAS11.com
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House Bill 255 and its Potential Impact on Child Labor Laws in Kentucky
Introduction
The Kentucky House is currently considering House Bill 255, which has the potential to weaken child labor laws in the state. This bill aims to remove working hour restrictions on 16 and 17-year-olds, allowing them to work an unlimited number of hours each day and at any hour when school is not in session.
Potential Implications
- The bill’s opponents argue that removing these restrictions could lead to the exploitation of minors.
- On the other hand, the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bill Pratt, believes that it will encourage teenagers to gain work experience and become more productive.
- Dustin Pugel from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy disagrees, stating that adding more work hours for teens may hinder their success in preparing for post-secondary education or vocational pathways to good jobs following high school.
- Governor Andy Beshear also expressed his concerns about the bill, emphasizing that current laws have been established to protect education among children. He highlighted the significant investments made in career and technical education in Kentucky schools.
Conclusion
House Bill 255, which seeks to remove working hour restrictions on 16 and 17-year-olds in Kentucky, has been added to the orders of the day in the House for Tuesday. The potential impact of this bill on child labor laws and the education of young individuals has sparked debates among lawmakers and experts.
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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 for the issue of child labor laws).
-
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 for the issue of preparing for post-secondary education or vocational pathways).
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 for the issue of child labor laws). |
| 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 for the issue of preparing for post-secondary education or vocational pathways). |
Analysis
The article discusses a bill in Kentucky that could weaken child labor laws, specifically removing working hour restrictions on 16 and 17-year-olds. This issue is connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which aims to ensure decent work for all and promote sustainable economic growth. Target 8.7 under this SDG is particularly relevant, as it calls for measures to eradicate child labor. The article highlights the potential exploitation of minors as a concern, indicating the need to address child labor.
Additionally, the article mentions the impact of the bill on preparing for post-secondary education or vocational pathways. This relates to SDG 4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Target 4.4 focuses on increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The article raises concerns about how additional work hours may impinge on the success of preparing for post-secondary education, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue to achieve SDG 4.
The indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are Indicator 8.7.1 and Indicator 4.4.1. Indicator 8.7.1 measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, which is relevant for monitoring the impact of the bill on child labor rates. Indicator 4.4.1 measures the proportion of youth and adults with ICT skills, which is relevant for assessing the impact of additional work hours on preparing for post-secondary education or vocational pathways.
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Source: whas11.com
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