The Ohio House has sent Gov. Mike DeWine two measures to change child labor laws – WOUB Public Media –

Report on Ohio Child Labor Legislation and Sustainable Development Goals

Legislative Overview

The Ohio House has approved and forwarded two legislative measures to Governor Mike DeWine concerning the working hours for 14 and 15-year-old minors. The successful passage of these measures is contingent upon changes to federal law.

• Senate Bill 50 (SB 50): This bill proposes an amendment to Ohio law that would permit 14 and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. This extends the current 7 p.m. limit on non-holiday and non-summer periods.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 (SCR 3): This resolution formally requests that the U.S. Congress amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. The FLSA currently restricts individuals under 16 from working past 7 p.m. during the school year, and this federal statute must be altered for SB 50 to take effect.

Analysis in the Context of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The debate surrounding the legislation highlights differing interpretations of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Proponents’ View: Supporters, including Rep. Mark Johnson, argue that the measures align with SDG 8 by addressing workforce shortages and providing young people with early opportunities for economic participation and skill development. The extension of working hours is framed as a mechanism to bolster the local economy and instill a work ethic.
• Opponents’ View: Critics, such as Rep. Lauren McNally, contend that the legislation undermines Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which calls for the 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. They argue that the jobs available to minors will not fill Ohio’s most in-demand skilled labor positions and do not constitute the “decent work” envisioned by the SDG framework.

Implications for SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Opposition to the measures is also rooted in concerns related to other key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on education and equality.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Rep. McNally’s testimony emphasized that the FLSA was established to protect a child’s right to an education and a childhood. Extending work hours raises concerns that it could negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being, thereby conflicting with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The historical purpose of child labor laws was to protect vulnerable populations. There is concern that loosening these regulations could disproportionately impact children from lower-income families, potentially widening inequality and running counter to the objectives of SDG 10.

Conclusion and National Context

The legislative action in Ohio reflects a national trend, with the State Innovation Exchange reporting over 60 similar bills introduced across the United States aimed at loosening child labor restrictions. The final decision on the Ohio measures rests with Governor DeWine, who has not yet reviewed the bills. The divided vote in the Ohio House indicates a significant policy debate over the balance between economic needs and the foundational protections for minors, as reflected in the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire discussion revolves around labor laws, working hours for minors, and workforce shortages. The proposed legislation (Senate Bill 50) directly impacts the conditions of work for 14 and 15-year-olds. Proponents argue it will “ease workforce woes,” linking it to economic growth, while opponents reference the “Fair Labor Standards Act,” a cornerstone of decent work principles.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This SDG is connected through the opposition’s argument. Rep. Lauren McNally’s statement, “The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was our promise to America’s children: You deserve a childhood, you deserve an education, you deserve safety,” directly links the protection from excessive labor to the right to an education. Extending work hours into the evening could potentially interfere with a child’s ability to focus on schoolwork and complete their education.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This SDG is relevant because the article details the legislative process for changing labor laws. It discusses specific pieces of legislation (“Senate Bill 50” and “Senate Concurrent Resolution 3”), the roles of the Ohio House and the Governor, and the relationship between state law and federal law (“the Fair Labor Standards Act”). This highlights the function of legal and political institutions in shaping policies that affect vulnerable populations like children.

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

   This target calls for immediate measures to “secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour… and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.” The article discusses loosening child labor restrictions, which runs counter to the spirit of this target. The debate centers on the legal definition and regulation of child labor for 14 and 15-year-olds, specifically their working hours. The reference to the “Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938” as a promise to protect children underscores the historical context of this target.

2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments

   This target is about protecting labor rights for all workers. The article’s focus on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets rules for when and how long minors can work, is directly related to this. Opponents of the new measures argue that the FLSA was established to ensure “safety” for children, implying that extending work hours could create a less safe or secure environment for young workers.

3. Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education

   This target is implicitly connected. While not the main focus, the argument that children “deserve an education” suggests that policies allowing them to work later on school nights could be a barrier to completing a quality secondary education. The time spent working is time that cannot be spent on homework or resting for the next school day, potentially impacting educational outcomes.

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

• Indicator for Target 8.7

  The article does not mention official UN indicators, but it implies a way to measure the trend regarding child labor laws. An implied indicator is the number of legislative bills introduced or passed in states that loosen child labor restrictions. The article provides a specific data point for this: “In the last few years, more than 60 bills in states across the country have been introduced loosening child labor restrictions.” This serves as a direct measure of policy changes that could impact the prevalence of child labor.

• Indicator for Target 8.8

  An implied indicator is the change in legally permitted working hours for minors. The article specifies the proposed change: allowing 14 and 15-year-olds to work “after 7 p.m. and until 9 p.m. more frequently.” The current federal law, the FLSA, restricts work after 7 p.m. on school nights. Therefore, tracking the legal statutes governing youth working hours at the state and federal level would be a direct indicator of the level of protection afforded to young workers.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: woub.org