John,

Children deserve to have a childhood.

Recently, there’s been a push among states to weaken child labor laws and have teenagers as young as 12 in tobacco fields and other agricultural jobs, or -- as seven states have enacted -- lowering the age to 16, 17, or even 14 years old for workers who serve alcohol.^1,2 As Labor Day approaches, we are witnessing a disastrous rollback of labor laws protecting children from exploitation and harm.

Corporations argue that these are ways to alleviate labor shortages, but at what cost? Instead of paying adult workers a living wage, providing benefits, and safe working environments, corporations and industry lobbying groups would rather erode 85 years of child labor laws and exploit children.

And it’s overwhelmingly children of color, immigrant children, and children in low-wage-earning families who will bear the brunt of these regressive laws that don’t just put children in danger; they exacerbate racial and income inequality too.

Child labor laws are under attack nationwide. Congress must step in and protect our children by reinforcing child labor laws now!

The Department of Labor identified over 3,800 cases of child labor violations in the 2022 fiscal year, the highest level since 2008. These violations span from small businesses to major corporations. Tragic incidents, such as the death of a 16-year-old boy in a sawmill accident in Wisconsin, underscore the pressing need for action.³

The Maine Department of Labor recently revealed that in 2022 there were more injury claims filed for workers ages 14-17 than had been filed in the preceding 10 years. Most of the labor violations found were minor children working too many hours on the job and working in prohibited hazardous jobs.⁴

U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-08) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) have initiated a task force to advance legislation combating child labor and they need our support to ensure it’s successful.⁵

Children are being maimed and dying working these hazardous jobs. This is 2023 -- we cannot allow greed to erode decades of child labor protections. Add your name to demand Congress act to reinforce our child labor laws and protect our children.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ 12-year-olds can't buy cigarettes — but they can work in tobacco fields
² ‘I can’t believe we’re having this conversation’: the states pushing for 14-year-olds to serve alcohol
³ Iowa Will Now Feature 'Expanded Employment Opportunities' for Children
⁴ As child labor laws are weakened in other states, Maine reports rise in youth worker injuries
⁵ Kildee, Scholten launch task force to combat child labor