House Democrats establish task force to prevent child labor.
House Democrats Launch Task Force to Combat Child Labor Crisis
House Democrats made a significant announcement on July 18, revealing the establishment of a task force aimed at investigating the alarming increase in child labor violations across the United States. The press conference, led by Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), shed light on the growing problem and the complicity of many companies.
Joining Rep. Kildee on the task force are Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), and Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.). They highlighted a concerning 69 percent rise in federal child labor law violations, as reported by the Department of Labor.
The creation of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force comes in response to a series of reports revealing a surge in child labor law violations, with many of them linked to the increase in illegal immigration along the southern border. However, the discussion during the launch of the panel did not delve into the role immigration has played in exacerbating the issue.
Strengthening Efforts and Holding Corporations Accountable
In 1938, Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, criminalizing the employment of individuals under 14 years old in hazardous industries such as manufacturing, mining, and processing. However, both lawmakers and the Department of Labor agree that the current fine is insufficient to deter violations.
Rep. Kildee emphasized the need for Congress to take action and proposed the Combatting Child Labor Act as part of the solution. This bill aims to increase fines for child labor violations, ranging from $1,000 to $150,000, with a maximum fine of $700,000 for cases resulting in the death of a minor.
Additionally, Rep. Kildee stressed the importance of the task force, which will collaborate across committee jurisdictions to develop policy solutions, raise awareness, and ensure proper enforcement of child labor laws. The task force will also focus on eliminating child labor from supply chains.
Rep. Scholten expressed her commitment to the cause, stating, ”Our task force will create a new space where ideas can be centralized, and we can combine our efforts to achieve justice for children. As a lawmaker and a mother, I simply cannot know about this problem and look the other way.”
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Notably absent from the lawmakers’ remarks was a discussion on how large-scale illegal immigration, which has surged under President Joe Biden, contributes to child labor law violations. The New York Times exposed the extent of the problem, highlighting the exploitation of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children in dangerous working conditions.
In 2022 alone, over 150,000 unaccompanied children entered the United States, part of a broader increase in illegal immigration since President Biden took office. Tara Rodas, a contractor for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), revealed that the U.S. government has become a crucial ”middleman” for cartel operations trafficking children into the country.
In this Sept. 10, 2014 file photo, detained illegal immigrant children line up in the cafeteria at the Karnes County Residential Center, a temporary home for illegal immigrant women and children detained at the border, in Karnes City, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Many of these children, according to Ms. Rodas, end up in hazardous working conditions similar to those described in The New York Times’ report. It is crucial to address this issue and take action to protect these vulnerable children.
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