Restaurant franchise owner in Troy cited for violating child labor laws

Restaurant franchise owner in Troy cited for violating child labor laws  FOX 2 Detroit

Restaurant franchise owner in Troy cited for violating child labor laws

Contractor cons customers with garage-building business

TROY, Mich. (FOX 2)

A restaurant franchise owner in Troy has been cited for violating child labor laws after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found teens worked excessive hours when school was in session at one of its restaurants.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division fined Michigan Multi-King $48,251 after it uncovered 63 teens aged 14 and 15 worked more than they should have at a Popeyes eatery.

“Far too often, we find teens working hours that are not allowed by the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Wage and Hour District Director Timolin Mitchell in Detroit. “Child labor laws were enacted nearly a century ago to protect children. Employers that hire teen labor must ensure they follow the law while allowing teens to earn valuable work experience.”

The youth workers worked more than 19 hours when school was in session, or worked past 7 p.m. before June 1 and past 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.

Kids that are 14 and 15 years old are prohibited from working later than 9 p.m. during the summer and 7 p.m. during the remainder of the year. They also cannot work more than three hours on a school day, eight hours on a non-school day, and 18 hours per week.

The department created an Interagency Task Force to combat child labor exploitation in February 2023. Since then, they’ve identified 955 cases of child labor violations. More than $8 million in penalties have been handed out.

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 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

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

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The issue of violating child labor laws is directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The article indirectly addresses SDG 4 as it highlights the importance of protecting children’s rights to education by enforcing regulations on working hours for underage workers.

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

The article highlights the violation of child labor laws, which aligns with Target 8.7. It emphasizes the need to eradicate child labor and ensure the protection of children’s rights in the workplace.

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

Although not directly mentioned in the article, Target 4.4 can be inferred as relevant because it emphasizes the importance of providing youth with skills for decent employment. This target aims to ensure that young people have the necessary skills to secure decent jobs and contribute to economic growth.

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

The article mentions that 63 teens aged 14 and 15 worked excessive hours, which indicates a violation of child labor laws. This information can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards eradicating child labor and achieving Target 8.7.

Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the importance of education and skills development for youth is implied. Indicator 4.4.1 can be used to measure progress in providing relevant skills, including ICT skills, to youth and adults for employment.

4. 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 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

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: fox2detroit.com

 

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