Instead of trying to protect children, lawmakers are answering the calls of industry to make it easier for them to be exploited.

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that, on (fake) Labor Day, (LETS GO MAY DAY) we devote our attention to a subset of the American population who should not be working, or at least not working in jobs that are entirely inappropriate for them. Children.

According to the Department of Labor, the number of minors involved in documented child labor violations (not including the ones that are never reported) increased a mind-boggling 472% between 2015 and 2023, with teenagers working late night shifts, too many hours and working in hazardous environments.

It's not hard to speculate that, as labor shortages have worsened in this country, employers are turning to those under 18 to fill those gaps.

It's not supposed to be this way.

Victoria Britain is back, baby! Don't let yourself get Oliver Twisted over the fact, Guv'nah! Now get out of school and get back in the factories! brandon

  • Wertheimer [any]
    ·
    2 months ago

    Archive link

    Sure is peculiar that the Department of Labor has all that data on child labor violations and no one ever goes to prison for it. As Graeber said, the feds just want their cut of the profits.

      • Wertheimer [any]
        ·
        2 months ago

        "The FLSA gives DOL the authority to investigate possible violations of its rules, including the power to examine an employer's records and to interview employees to determine if the employer is in compliance with the Act."

        "In the case of a willful violation of the child labor rules, the FLSA provides for a fine up to $10,000. For a second offense committed after the conviction for a prior offense, a person can also be imprisoned for not more than 6 months."

        https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/whd/flsa/cl/enforcement.asp