Rule change lowers some fines for Iowa child labor law violations – Radio Iowa

The Fine for Violating Iowa’s Child Labor Laws Lowered

The fine for businesses that violate Iowa’s child labor laws by having teens work too many hours or work too late at night has been lowered this week. The penalty had been $10,000, but has been lowered to $2500 for having a teenager work beyond the allowed time limits in state law.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The SDGs are integrated and indivisible, meaning that progress in one goal can positively impact progress in others. In the context of child labor, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 4: Quality Education are particularly relevant.

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The reduction of fines for child labor violations may undermine efforts to ensure decent work for all and promote economic growth. It is important to enforce child labor limits to protect the rights and well-being of children, while also promoting fair and inclusive economic development.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education – Allowing children to work during school hours or late at night can hinder their access to quality education. It is crucial to prioritize education and ensure that children have the necessary time and resources to learn and develop.

Mitchell Mahan, an attorney with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, says $10,000 is the maximum amount for any child labor violation, including a worksite fatality if the employee is under 18.

“If a child is in the wrong occupation which is presumptively more dangerous, we still have a $10,000 penalty that applies,” Mahan says. “It just seemed, reading the statute, if the highest we could go is $10,000, maybe it shouldn’t apply to working 10 minutes late.”

Peter Hird of the Iowa Federation of Labor says it’s the wrong approach to enforcing child labor limits.

“We have seen examples in Iowa and other states where younger children are working night shifts or on job sites during the day. We believe the law should act as a deterrent to discourage employers from employing children at times when kids should either be receiving education or getting the necessary rest,” Hird says. “If Iowa were to find a dozen kids working on a night shift…this rule would be a penalty break for those bad actors. If anything, penalties should be increased for this type of behavior.”

Governor Reynolds signed child labor changes into law in 2023 to allow 14- and 15-year-old olds to work up to six hours on a school day and ’til 9 p.m. on school nights or until 11 p.m. during the summer. Iowa law also allows children of any age to work at a business owned by their family. Under a rule change that took effect this week, a parent no longer has to be present when their child works at the family’s business.

The changes were discussed earlier this week during a meeting of the legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

The article discusses child labor laws and their enforcement, which are directly related to SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. It also mentions the importance of children receiving education, which is connected to SDG 4 – Quality Education.

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

• 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.
• SDG 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.

The article highlights the issue of child labor and discusses the enforcement of child labor laws. This aligns with SDG 8.7, which aims to eradicate forced labor and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of children receiving education, which relates to SDG 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth with relevant skills for employment.

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 the following indicators:

• Penalty amount for child labor violations
• Number of child labor violations
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds on school days
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds on school nights
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds during the summer

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of SDG 8.7 and SDG 4.4. By tracking the number of child labor violations and monitoring the number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds, progress can be measured in terms of eradicating forced labor and ensuring that children have access to education.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: radioiowa.com