Report on Child Labor Law Developments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Recent legislative and enforcement activities concerning child labor in the United States present a complex landscape for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), particularly Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate elimination of the worst forms of child labor and the eradication of forced labor and human trafficking. Concurrently, these developments impact SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by addressing the exploitation of vulnerable populations, including minors.

Federal Framework and Enforcement: Upholding SDG 8.7

The U.S. federal government, through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), establishes a baseline of protection for child workers, directly contributing to the objectives of SDG 8. The Department of Labor (DOL) has intensified its enforcement, signaling a strengthened commitment to these goals.

FLSA Prohibitions on Hazardous Work

In alignment with SDG 8.7’s aim to prohibit and eliminate hazardous child labor, the FLSA restricts minors under the age of 18 from engaging in certain occupations deemed dangerous. These include:

• Driving a motor vehicle for work
• Operating or cleaning power-driven meat-processing and bakery machines
• Operating saws, woodchippers, and forklifts
• Logging, demolition, roofing, and mining work

For minors aged 14 and 15, further restrictions are in place to ensure their work does not jeopardize their health, well-being, or educational opportunities, a principle that supports SDG 4 (Quality Education). Prohibited roles include:

• Most occupations in transportation, construction, and warehousing
• Work in freezers or meat coolers
• Baking operations
• Door-to-door sales

Intensified Federal Enforcement

The DOL’s recent enforcement actions underscore a robust effort to hold employers accountable. In fiscal year 2024, the agency’s actions reflected a significant focus on protecting children from exploitation.

1. Cases and Violations: The DOL concluded 736 cases involving 4,030 children.
2. Penalties: Over $15.1 million in civil penalties were assessed, an 89% increase from the prior year.
3. Ongoing Investigations: As of January 2025, more than 1,000 child labor investigations were open, many involving vulnerable migrant children in hazardous conditions.

State-Level Legislative Developments: A Mixed Approach to SDG Commitments

Legislative changes at the state level show divergent paths regarding the protection of child workers, with some states strengthening regulations in line with SDG principles while others have relaxed them.

California

Assembly Bill 3234, effective January 1, 2025, promotes corporate transparency and accountability, key tenets of sustainable development. It mandates that employers publicly disclose findings from voluntary child labor audits on their websites, reinforcing the social responsibility aspect of SDG 8.

Indiana

Effective January 1, 2025, Indiana expanded the hours minors can work. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds may now work the same hours as adults without parental permission, and fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds can work later during the summer. This relaxation of standards may present challenges to upholding the protective aims of SDG 8.7 and ensuring that employment does not interfere with education as per SDG 4.

Michigan

A new law taking effect on October 2, 2026, will create a state-run registration and work permit system. The law maintains strict limits on working hours for children under 16 during the school year, thereby prioritizing educational commitments in line with SDG 4.

Nevada

Assembly Bill 215, effective October 1, 2025, strengthens protections by reducing the maximum work week for minors under 16 from 48 to 40 hours. It also restricts work on school nights, reinforcing the importance of education and aligning with the protective goals of SDG 8.

Virginia

Virginia has enacted two laws addressing modern forms of child labor and vocational training.

• House Bill 2401 (Content Creation): Effective July 1, 2025, this law addresses the economic exploitation of children in digital media. It requires a portion of earnings from video content featuring a child to be placed in a trust. This measure is a direct response to emerging labor issues and supports SDG 16.2 by protecting children from economic exploitation.
• House Bill 1667 (Barbershops and Salons): Effective July 1, 2025, this law permits minors aged 16 or older to work in licensed barbershops and cosmetology salons under a valid work-training program, providing a regulated pathway to skilled employment that aligns with the decent work agenda of SDG 8.

Protecting Vulnerable Workers: Advancing SDG 16 and SDG 10

Efforts to protect young immigrant workers who are victims of workplace crimes are crucial for advancing SDG 16.2 (end abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of children) and SDG 10.7 (facilitate orderly, safe, and responsible migration).

Immigration Relief as a Protective Mechanism

Federal and state labor agencies can certify visas for qualifying minor workers who are victims of workplace crimes, providing a pathway to safety and justice.

• U-Visas: Available to victims of qualifying crimes (e.g., trafficking, involuntary servitude) who cooperate with investigations. This provides temporary lawful status and work authorization, empowering victims to seek justice without fear of deportation.
• T-Visas: Available to victims of severe forms of trafficking. This visa offers lawful status and employment authorization, supporting their recovery and integration while holding traffickers accountable.

These visa programs are essential tools for implementing the justice and anti-exploitation targets of the SDGs.

Corporate Responsibility and Compliance Recommendations

To align with the Sustainable Development Goals, employers must adopt proactive compliance and due diligence measures.

• Ensure Compliance: Adjust staffing and job assignments to ensure minors do not exceed legal time limits or perform tasks prohibited under state and federal law, thereby directly contributing to SDG 8.7.
• Supply Chain Diligence: Coordinate with staffing agencies and third-party vendors to verify the age and legal status of all workers, preventing complicity in child labor and immigration violations.
• Promote Justice and Remediation: In the event of an investigation, cooperate fully with authorities and support affected immigrant workers seeking protective certifications like U- or T-visas. Implementing robust compliance programs can mitigate enforcement risk and demonstrates a commitment to SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s primary focus is on child labor laws, working conditions for minors, and the enforcement of these laws. This directly relates to ensuring decent work for all, including the youngest members of the workforce, and protecting them from economic exploitation.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The text discusses the enactment, amendment, and enforcement of federal and state laws (strong institutions) aimed at protecting children. It highlights the role of the Department of Labor (DOL) and state labor agencies in investigating violations and providing legal remedies like U-visas and T-visas (access to justice) for victims of trafficking and workplace crimes (ending abuse and exploitation).
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article specifically mentions the vulnerability of young migrant workers, noting that some victims “were migrants who came to the United States alone from Mexico or Central America.” The provision of immigration relief like U-visas and T-visas addresses the specific inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by this group.

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

1. Target 8.7: End child labour in all its forms
   • The entire article is centered on this target. It discusses various state laws (California, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia) and federal regulations (FLSA) designed to regulate and eliminate harmful child labor by setting limits on working hours and prohibiting certain types of jobs for minors. The DOL’s enforcement actions are a direct measure to achieve this target.
2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers
   • This target is addressed through the detailed lists of hazardous occupations prohibited for minors under the FLSA, such as operating dangerous machinery, demolition, and roofing. The laws limiting working hours and requiring work permits are also measures to ensure a safer working environment for young employees. The mention of “young immigrant workers who experience serious workplace abuses” underscores the need to protect the labor rights of vulnerable workers.
3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • The article connects child labor violations to severe exploitation and trafficking. It explicitly mentions that federal and state agencies may issue U-visas and T-visas for minors who are “victims of workplace crimes or trafficking” and “victims of severe forms of trafficking.” The example of children cleaning meatpacking plants overnight highlights the exploitative conditions this target aims to end.

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

1. Indicators for Target 8.7 (End child labour):
   • Quantitative Data on Violations and Enforcement: The article provides specific statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor for fiscal year 2024, which can be used as direct indicators:
     • Number of cases with child labor violations concluded: “736 cases”
     • Number of children involved in violations: “4,030 children”
     • Amount of civil money penalties assessed: “more than $15.1 million”
     • Number of open child labor investigations: “more than 1,000”
2. Indicators for Target 8.8 (Protect labour rights and promote safe environments):
   • Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: The specific provisions within state and federal laws serve as indicators of protection. For example, the prohibition of minors from “operating circular saws, chainsaws, woodchippers, and forklifts” is a clear measure of promoting a safe working environment.
   • Awareness and Compliance Measures: The Nevada law requiring employers to “post in a visible location at the workplace and online” an abstract of child labor laws is an indicator of efforts to promote awareness of labor rights among both employers and young workers.
3. Indicators for Target 16.2 (End exploitation and trafficking of children):
   • Protective Measures for Victims: The availability and issuance of U-visas and T-visas for minor victims of workplace crimes and trafficking is a key indicator. The article states that these visas provide “temporary lawful status and work authorization,” which is a tangible measure of support and protection for exploited children.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ogletree.com