“More than 85 years ago, our country passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, which in part declared that the exploitation of children in the workplace is unacceptable. Nearly a century later, our country is plagued by a scourge of child exploitation in factory floors, dangerous meat processing plants, restaurants, and other workplaces across the country. The flagrant, ongoing violations of federal law are unacceptable, and we must do more to ensure our federal labor laws hold employers accountable when they put children in dangerous situations that jeopardize their well-being, safety, and potentially their lives…. – at a bare minimum – employers exploiting children should not be rewarded with federal contracts,” said Senator Booker. As members of Green America, we have long stood against the exploitation of children in the chocolate sector, defining and advocating for a sustainable and equitable green economy. In February, Green America joined the Child Labor Coalition, the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, and others to launch the Campaign to End US Child Labor. As a nation, we need comprehensive legislation to eradicate child labor in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors once and for all. Join us to send members of congress a strong message that we applaud the committee’s vote on Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act. However, Congress must do more to prevent child labor exploitation in the United States, protect unaccompanied migrant children, close loopholes, and increase enforcement and penalties. |
