Explained: New child labour laws in US state lets teens work six hours a day
Contents News/Article Date:4th July 2023
Relating to which Act: There are federal, state and local employment laws. The primary federal employment laws are: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (Title VII) which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex and national origin; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Fair Labour Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA); the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; the National Labour Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA); the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978; the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA); the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); and Executive Order 11246 for government contractors.
Penalty under the Act: Wage and hour. Below are the maximum civil monetary penalties for repeated or wilful violations of each rule: Minimum wage: $2,074. Overtime: $2,074. Employee misclassification: $1,000.
- Labour law violation examples
- Not paying minimum wage
- Not paying overtime
- Firing without proper notice
- Keeping inaccurate records
- Workplace discrimination
Applicable to which State: United States
Type: Hindustan Times News report
Pertains to: United States
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In the United States, a new labour law lets teens work six hours a day.
The bill, which was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, allows 14 and 15-year-old teens to work additional, six, hours every day even when their school is in session.
Controversial new child labour laws – that allow school-going 14- and 15-year-old children to work six hours a day and permit those over 16 to serve alcohol in restaurants — came into effect in the American state of Iowa came into effect on July 1. The Iowa legislature passed the bill — backed only by Republicans – in May and it was signed into law by the state’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds.
Subject: Explained: New child labour laws in US state lets teens work six hours a day
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Explained: New child labour laws in US state lets teens work 6 hours a day
The bill, which was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, allows 14 and 15-year-old teens to work additional, six, hours every day even when their school is in session.
Controversial new child labour laws – that allow school-going 14- and 15-year-old children to work six hours a day and permit those over 16 to serve alcohol in restaurants — came into effect in the American state of Iowa came into effect on July 1. The Iowa legislature passed the bill — backed only by Republicans – in May and it was signed into law by the state’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds.
Iowa joins nearly two dozen other states — several ruled by the Republicans – in loosening, or trying to loosen, child labour laws in response to complaints by restaurants, shops and other businesses about the lack of ‘reliable employees. Ohio approved a similar bill earlier this year and Minnesota is considering a proposal that will see 16- and 17-year-old children work on construction sites.
Arkansas and Tennessee have enacted laws as well, citing a ‘desperate need for extra workers’.
“With this legislation, Iowa joins 20 other states in providing tailored, common-sense labour provisions that allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce,” Reynolds said.
What does Iowa’s new bill allow?
According to American broadcaster CNN, the law allows adults to employ 14- and 15-year-old children for six hours per day even if school is in session; previously they could only work four hours a day. In addition, they can now also work in some hazardous/industrial jobs – like in meat coolers.
Employment in these industries was forbidden under the earlier law.
Boys and girls aged 14 and 15 can now also work till 11 pm during the summer. Children aged 16 and 17 can now serve alcohol in restaurants; this is despite the legal drinking age in Iowa being 21. Employers, however, must have parental consent and two adults need to be present at all times. The latter provision was a bipartisan amendment to the original bill. Children over 16 will not have limits on how long they may work. Changes in Iowa’s child labour laws also mean children can operate extremely dangerous heavy machinery – like power saws – the Associated Press reported.
Criticism of Iowa’s new law
Those supporting the revised child labour laws claim this will give ‘greater job opportunities for teens’, while those against have warned of exploitation of children and a lack of focus on education.
“We must not forget that children and youth are our future,” Todd Taylor, a Democrat, said in April. “They deserve to be protected, educated and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Republican Adrian Dickey has stressed the law doesn’t mean children will be forced into ‘slave labour’ and claimed ‘we’re not even requiring them to work’. “What we’re doing is providing them opportunities to have a job during the same time of day already allowed to classmates…”
What does the US government say?
An investigation by the US Department of Labour in May found fast food franchises in Kentucky violated child labour laws by using children as young as 10 for unpaid labour till 10 pm. An investigation in February found over 100 children illegally employed in a meat factory; they were found to be working with dangerous chemicals and equipment, including saws.