In a tight labor market, some states look to another type of worker: Children

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Bills advancing in the Iowa and Minnesota state legislatures would roll back child workplace protections to address worker shortages.

“Because of the high demand for workers, where there are holes in the system, unfortunately child laborers can get caught up in staffing some of those holes,” said David Weil, a professor of social policy and management at Brandeis University, and a former wage and hour administrator at the Department of Labor.

At 15, they would be able to work as lifeguards and swimming instructors, perform light assembly-line work after obtaining a waiver from state officials, and load and unload up to 50 pounds of products from vehicles and store shelves with a waiver “depending on the strength and ability of the fifteen-year-old.”

Schultz did not respond to requests for comment. Critics say the proposal is dangerous and would subject child workers to hazardous environments.“Do you remember the images of children in manufacturing and other dangerous work situations from the early 1900s?” Connie Ryan, executive director of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, said in, according to Radio Iowa. “There is a reason our society said that it is not appropriate for children to work in those conditions.

 

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Shortage my butt, we have a million undocumented in this country, how can you say shortage. Put them to work for a fraction of the cost, house them by the dozen in 1 brm, 1 bth houses. I just helped with the shortage.

It will be immigrant and poor minority children... this is wrong. Our country is going back in time... not a good time.

It's all in the Koch based plan to return the United States to the 19th Century. Indenturement, peonage, debtor's prison, corporate tyranny and vast monopolies to exploit the working poor. A small population of Haves economicly controlling the vast population of have-nots

🚨

This change will largely affect low income and immigrant children.

Companies would rather repeal child labor laws then pay livable wages to adult workers. This is what corporate greed looks like.

I was 14 when I got my first job. I paid for my own entertainment while I was a teenager. I don't regret it one bit.

I was a paper boy at 10. After schrool 5 days a week. At 12 years added Sat. evenings and Sun. mornings. No allowance.

With all the immigrants coming in why not give them jobs?

unocelestial They would put their kids to work rather than employing their willing and needy neighbours - what kinda people are these?

Wtaf? Next will be to bring back slavery.

Serious question about sources. What bill was introduced in MN, because I can't find a single thing about it if it was?

sick, we have become a 3rd world country

Oh hell no.

Fascism

Disgusting.

Pathetic

No need to ban books, children won’t have time to read when they are working after school, in factories. Or all day if they roll back child labor laws and allow 14 yo to drop out of school to work.

While we have Brown people clamoring to come here and do honest work. But racism.

I did not know that there is a part 2 of the fate of Monica Conyers. Why am I not surprised.

Charlie Leduff wrote a book called Detroit about poor state and local govt. Nothing to do with Nafta.

Good example of poor Govt in Detroit. Must see video that Marjorie & Orangeman would not like.

Orangeman: I saved jobs in Detroit. Just vote for me in 2020.

So my question is why was this a problem when Orangeman was President. I thought he was the champion of jobs in the rural community.

Story in the Guardian said that this has been going on since 2015.

Iowa, Minnesota to bring back child labor of 1900's by supposedly the richest country the United States pathetic. Alabama allowed Nissan to hire child labor, you're Nissan built by an eight year-old.

Absolutely disgusting

Letting more immigrants into our country is a better idea.

Jesus!

while they whine that a million asylum seekers are sitting at the border just waiting for the opportunity to work ANY job.

Oh. Hell. No.

This seems like something the Federal Gov should look into!

Wow, so exploiting children is legal for a price and now they don't even try to hide it.

What is wrong with the Republicans. We said long time ago NO CHILD LABOR. This is still America and we have laws against child labor. This is just sick.

Very sad.

Fecking no. This is why we need unions to stop this shite.

'Iowa measure allows 14&15-yr-olds to work...in meatpacking plants... industrial freezers & meat coolers...Would shield businesses from civil liability if a youth worker is sickened, injured or killed on the job...'

No way Kids in poorer families usually try to make money but they're not going to use them God knows where They can earn extra money like I did babysitting, running errands for others picking wild berries in smaller towns and selling them . All the little Joe jobs that are moral

Maybe, just maybe, there are so many openings because the people who used to do some of those jobs are now physically unable (and just surviving on the margins of society without income or long-term disability)? If so, turning back the clock on labor laws won’t help.

Obviously legalizing child labor is the only solution. 😉

Open the border.🤷

Oh goodie! Child Labor coming back to your town! What's next, Debtors Prisons?

Fine as long as the first child hired is the child or grandchild of CEO. The next position is filled by child or grandchild of COO Then the CFO and down the line until all jobs are filled

'Horrible' bills advancing in the Iowa and... You should write it like that.

Everything old is new again.

A GOP wet dream

Child labor! WTF!!!

One step closer to legalizing slavery in the United States again. I bet that thought got Ronny’s GovRonDeSantis little Vienna sausage hard.

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