Reed Seeks to Combat Child Labor by Strengthening U.S. Labor Laws to Better Protect Children | U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island

New data show companies employed 5,792 children in violation of child labor law in FY23

Introduction

Exploitive child labor should be a relic of the past. However, some red states are reportedly seeking to weaken child labor protections rather than paying adults higher wages. Recent reports by the New York Times and The Public’s Radio highlight the pervasiveness of child labor abuses that continue to plague children, families, and communities around the country.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Legislation to Protect Children

Amidst a concerning spike in child labor violations, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is teaming up with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) on new legislation to protect children from exploitative child labor practices and hold the companies and individuals who take advantage of them accountable.

The CHILD Labor Act

Today, the senators introduced the Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act. This legislation would enhance the federal government’s ability to combat child labor by cracking down on employers who violate child labor laws with stronger penalties and allowing children who have been seriously injured to sue their employers. The bill also expands child labor provisions to hold suppliers and subcontractors throughout the supply chain responsible and authorizes the U.S. Department of Labor to label goods that are produced with child labor.

Statements from Senators

• Senator Casey: “Children do not belong in factories or working during hours when they should be studying, spending time with their families, or simply being children. It is long past time we bring our child labor laws into the 21st century and fight back against the employers, contractors, and subcontractors that violate them.”
• Senator Murray: “Over the past few years, we have seen an alarming rise in instances of illegal and dangerous child labor. This has to change. It’s going to take real action at the federal level to crack down on illegal and exploitative child labor, which has in many cases caused gruesome injuries and even death. This is about protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.”
• Senator Reed: “We cannot allow the scourge of exploitive child labor to take root in our nation again. The CHILD Labor Act is a comprehensive bill that would strengthen our child labor laws and our means of enforcing them. We must also hold companies accountable when they violate the law. I will continue working to expand protections for workers, including vulnerable migrant children, and hold businesses and contractors accountable for violating the law.”

Provisions of the CHILD Labor Act

• Enhances the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to hold liable contractors or subcontractors for child labor violations in the same manner as the employer
• Increases the civil penalty amount for child labor violations from $11,000 to $151,380
• Increases the criminal penalty fine from $10,000 to $750,000
• Requires any person who violates child labor provisions to be liable to each affected employee in an amount no less than $75,000
• Requires federal contracts to contain child labor provisions that prohibit the use of oppressive child labor
• Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to affix warning labels to goods manufactured with oppressive child labor
• Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to issue a stop work order to any person in violation of child labor provisions
• Requires the Secretary of Labor to report to Congress data and recommendations concerning overall trends for work-related injuries, illnesses, or deaths on an annual basis

Cosponsors and Endorsements

In addition to Casey, Murray, and Reed, the CHILD Labor Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill is endorsed by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), Child Labor Coalition, National Consumers League, and the Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP).

Conclusion

The CHILD Labor Act aims to protect children from exploitative child labor practices and hold accountable those who violate child labor laws. It is crucial for workers under the age of 18 to be aware of their legal protections. Employers should familiarize themselves with both state and federal child labor laws to ensure full compliance. The legislation, along with the Child Labor Prevention Act, seeks to increase penalties for child labor violations and establish criminal penalties for repeated or willful violations. The fight against child labor is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a better future for children.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the issue of child labor and the need to protect children from exploitative child labor practices. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It also relates to SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, the article highlights the need for stronger enforcement and accountability measures, which is connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build 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 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

The article emphasizes the need to eradicate child labor, which aligns with Target 8.7 under SDG 8. It also highlights the importance of education in addressing this issue, which relates to Target 4.7 under SDG 4. Additionally, the article calls for stronger enforcement measures and accountability, which is connected to Target 16.3 under SDG 16.

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 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
• Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

The article mentions the increase in child labor violations, which can be measured using Indicator 8.7.1 under SDG 8. It also emphasizes the need for education to address child labor, which can be measured using Indicator 4.7.1 under SDG 4. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of holding companies accountable, which can be measured using Indicator 16.3.1 under SDG 16.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: reed.senate.gov

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