The Biden administration just announced plans to crack down on more than 4,400 new cases of child labor in the US since October

• The Department of Labor is heightening enforcement of child labor laws through new partnerships and tactics.
• The department reported a 44% increase in children employed illegally between October 2022 and July 2023.
• This comes as states introduce new legislation that would make employing children easier and cheaper.

The Biden administration is ramping up its efforts to stop companies using child labor in dangerous and exploitative ways.

Department of Labor Announces Crackdown on Illegal Child Labor

On Thursday, the Department of Labor announced it would take more measures to crack down on illegal child labor nationally. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su stated that child labor is an issue that gets to the heart of who we are as a country and who we want to be. The department reported a 44% increase in children found employed in violation of federal law between October 2022 and July 2023, along with an 87% rise in penalties such as fines over the same period.

Partnerships and Tactics to Combat Child Labor

The announcement includes cross-training programs designed to increase reporting rates of child labor exploitation across various departments. Trainings are being broadened across the Department of Health and Human Services, child welfare agencies, and homeless and runaway youth programs. The Department of Labor has also engaged with other departments including Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, the US Small Business Administration, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

International Collaboration to Combat Child Labor

The Labor and State Departments have worked with leadership from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to help combat exploitative child labor, particularly for migrant children.

Additional Measures to Reduce Child Labor

The Department of Labor is adding more resources to the Wage and Hour Division’s website, creating “Know Your Rights” videos, and working with the Department of Education to further inform young people of their rights.

State Legislation and Worker Shortages

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article relate to child labor, which is a violation of children’s rights and affects their well-being and development. SDG 8 aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequalities, including those related to social and economic opportunities. SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

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.
• Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

The article highlights the need to crack down on illegal child labor and hold companies accountable for exploiting children. This aligns with Target 8.7, which aims to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, and the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions the involvement of foreign governments in combating exploitative child labor, which relates to Target 10.7 on facilitating safe and responsible migration. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of ending abuse and exploitation of children, which is in line with Target 16.2.

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

• Number of children found employed in violation of child labor laws
• Percentage change in penalties for child labor violations
• Number of open child labor cases pursued by the Department of Labor
• Number of cross-training programs implemented to increase reporting rates of child labor exploitation

The article mentions specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of children found employed in violation of child labor laws, the percentage change in penalties for child labor violations, the number of open child labor cases pursued by the Department of Labor, and the number of cross-training programs implemented to increase reporting rates of child labor exploitation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: businessinsider.com

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