Republicans continue effort to erode US child labor rules despite teen deaths
Republicans continue effort to erode US child labor rules despite teen deaths The Guardian US
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Labor Violations in the US
Introduction
Child labor violations have been soaring in the US, but efforts to render solutions through legislation have received little support, and Republicans at the state level continue pushing bills that would roll back current child labor protections.
Child Labor Violations in the US
- The US Department of Labor wage and hour division reported 835 cases of child labor violations affecting 3,876 minors in the most recent fiscal year. This marks a 283% increase since 2015. Civil penalties against employers totaled just under $4.3m.
- At the state level, labor departments also saw sharp increases in child labor violations last year. Washington reported a record number of employers cited for child labor violations, and New York reported a 68% increase in violations.
Harrowing Incidents of Child Labor Violations
- In June, 16-year-old William Hampton was killed in Lee Summit, Missouri while working at a recycling park.
- In the same month, 16-year-old Michael Schuls was killed at a sawmill in Wisconsin while operating hazardous machinery.
- In August, 16-year-old Duvan Thomas Perez was killed while working at a poultry plant in Mississippi.
High-Profile Corporations and Fines
Several high-profile food service corporations, including McDonald’s, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Sonic, Dunkin’ Donuts, Dave & Buster’s, Subway, Arby’s, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Popeye’s, and Zaxby’s, have faced fines over child labor violations. Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms are currently under federal investigation for alleged child labor violations in their supply chains.
Protests and Lack of Action
Workers held a rally outside of Tyson Foods headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas to protest against the lack of action from the company in response to child labor violations in its supply chain and broad issues of unsafe working conditions.
Legislation and Party Lines
- Some Democrats at the federal level have introduced legislation to improve child labor protections and increase penalties on employers. However, only two Republicans have co-sponsored bills introduced in the past year.
- Efforts to improve protections and enforcement have largely been disconnected along party lines.
Rollback of Child Labor Protections
- Republicans have led efforts to roll back child labor protections at the state level, with bills introduced in at least 16 states.
- States including Arkansas and Iowa have enacted laws to roll back child labor protections.
- Florida became the 16th state to introduce such a bill after Republican Linda Chaney supported eliminating all guidelines on work hour restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Conclusion
The recent surge in child labor violations in the US highlights the urgent need for stronger protections and enforcement. Efforts to address this issue have been hindered by political divisions, with Republicans pushing for rollbacks of current child labor protections. It is crucial that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are prioritized to ensure the well-being and rights of children in the US.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 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.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of child labor violations reported by the US Department of Labor wage and hour division.
- Number of minors employed in violation of hazardous occupation.
- Civil penalties against employers for child labor violations.
- Number of child labor violations reported by state labor departments.
- Number of child labor-related fatalities.
- Number of fines imposed on corporations for child labor violations.
- Number of investigations into child labor violations in supply chains.
- Number of bills introduced to improve child labor protections and increase penalties on employers.
- Number of co-sponsors for bills related to child labor protections.
- Number of states enacting laws to roll back child labor protections.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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. | – Number of child labor violations reported by the US Department of Labor wage and hour division. – Number of minors employed in violation of hazardous occupation. |
| 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. | – Civil penalties against employers for child labor violations. – Number of child labor violations reported by state labor departments. – Number of child labor-related fatalities. – Number of fines imposed on corporations for child labor violations. – Number of investigations into child labor violations in supply chains. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of child labor violations reported by the US Department of Labor wage and hour division. – Number of investigations into child labor violations in supply chains. |
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Source: theguardian.com
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