Audit of Child Labor Law Enforcement and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Key Findings: A Setback for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

A recent audit conducted by the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General (OIG) reveals significant challenges in the enforcement of child labor laws by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The findings represent a substantial obstacle to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8, particularly Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate eradication of the worst forms of child labor and an end to child labor in all its forms by 2025. The audit, reviewing WHD investigations from fiscal years 2019 to 2023, identified a 103% increase in child labor law violations, which rose from 3,748 to 7,624 during the period.

Identified Enforcement Barriers Hindering Progress on SDGs

Interviews with WHD investigative officials highlighted several critical barriers that impede the effective enforcement of laws designed to protect children. These challenges directly undermine the principles of several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Resource Constraints: A lack of sufficient investigative staff and financial resources for modernizing IT systems was identified. This institutional weakness directly impacts the capacity to uphold justice and protect vulnerable populations, a core tenet of SDG 16.
• Communication Barriers: Difficulties in communicating with workers, many of whom may be from marginalized communities, create obstacles to justice and accountability. This barrier exacerbates inequalities, running counter to the objectives of SDG 10.
• Legal Discrepancies: Confusion arising from differences between state and federal child labor laws weakens the legal framework necessary for child protection. This lack of legal clarity undermines efforts to build the effective and accountable institutions required by SDG 16.

Agency Response and Commitment to SDG Principles

The audit report, issued on September 30, contained no formal recommendations but was provided to the WHD for technical review. In a response dated September 12, acting WHD administrator James R. Macy affirmed the agency’s commitment to principles aligned with the SDGs. He stated that combating exploitative child labor is a high priority and that the WHD will continue its responsibility to protect children from exploitation and hazardous work. This commitment reflects an alignment with the global objectives of SDG 8 and SDG 16 to ensure decent work and protect children from abuse and exploitation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

   The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The core theme of the article is the enforcement of child labor laws. Child labor is a direct violation of the principles of decent work, which advocates for productive employment and safe working conditions for all. The article’s focus on the “egregious and exploitative violations of federal child labor laws” directly connects to this goal.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article highlights the challenges faced by a key government institution, the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD), in enforcing laws. It discusses “resource constraints,” “insufficient investigative staff,” and “outdated information technology systems,” which are all issues related to the effectiveness and capacity of public institutions responsible for upholding justice and the rule of law.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.7: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.” The article’s entire focus is on the significant increase in child labor law violations and the DOL’s commitment to “protect children from exploitation and harm from illegal child labor,” which directly aligns with the objective of this target.
   • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article details the institutional hurdles preventing the WHD from effectively enforcing child labor laws. The mention of “insufficient investigative staff to meet the current volume of child labor complaints” and the need to “modernize outdated information technology systems” points directly to the challenges in maintaining an effective and capable institution as described in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions specific data and describes conditions that can serve as indicators for the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 8.7: The article provides a direct quantitative indicator of the prevalence of child labor. It states that “the number of child labor law violations jumped to 7,624 from 3,748 – a 103% increase” between fiscal years 2019 and 2023. This number serves as a direct measure of the scale of the child labor problem being addressed, aligning with the official UN indicator 8.7.1 (Proportion and number of children engaged in child labour).
   • Indicators for Target 16.6: The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators related to institutional effectiveness. These include:
     • The number of investigative staff relative to the volume of complaints (“insufficient investigative staff to meet the current volume”).
     • The level of financial resources allocated for technological upgrades (“insufficient financial resources to modernize outdated information technology systems”).
     • The efficiency of the institution, which is hampered by communication barriers and confusion over differing state and federal laws.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: safetyandhealthmagazine.com