The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL's) top attorney, Solicitor Seema Nanda, has criticized states that are seeking to remove child worker protections, saying the states are irresponsible. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
Legislation in Several States
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, on March 7 signed legislation into law that eliminated age verification requirements for workers younger than 16 years old. A similar proposal has advanced in Missouri. Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would let 14- and 15-year-olds work certain jobs in meatpacking plants and shield businesses from civil liability if a child laborer is injured or killed on the job. A bill in Minnesota would permit 16- and 17-year-olds to work construction jobs.
"No child should be working in dangerous workplaces in this country, full stop," Nanda said, calling for an increase in accountability and ramping up enforcement.
'Arbitrary Burden'
Under Arkansas' new law, children under 16 no longer must get permission from the state's Division of Labor to get a job. They also will not need to have their age verified or submit such things as a work schedule. Children also won't need their parents' consent.
Alexa Henning, Sanders' communication director, stated that the permit was "an arbitrary burden on parents to get permission from the government for their child to get a job."
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