‘Extension of working for minors-allowing alcohol serving’… Child labor bill passes Iowa Senate
Republican “Expand Opportunity” Democracy “Expose Risk”
Arkansas and Minnesota ease restrictions
“Severe job shortage… Child employment will increase
In the US state of Iowa, a child labor bill was passed by the state Senate on the 18th, easing regulations to allow young people to work in more dangerous industries from a younger age. The Republican Party, which led the passage of the bill, claimed that it was “to give more opportunities to young people,” but the Democratic Party and the labor world protested, saying, “It is shifting responsibility for the labor shortage problem to children.” In the United States, where labor shortages have worsened since the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) pandemic, more than 10 states are pushing for legislation to ease child labor regulations.
The Republican-majority Senate of Iowa passed the amendment to the Child Labor Act at 4:52 a.m., before dawn, with 32 votes in favor and 17 against. Two Republicans and all Democrats voted against it, but it was not enough to block passage of the bill. The bill will go into effect if it passes the House, also controlled by Republicans, and is signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican.
The bill increases the number of hours that people under the age of 16 can work per day from 4 to 6 hours. During the semester, they were allowed to work the night shift until 9:00 p.m. and during the summer (vacation) until 11:00 p.m. From the age of 15, you can work on the assembly line of a factory with low labor intensity. 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to serve alcohol to customers in restaurants with written permission from their guardians.
Republicans argue that the bill provides more opportunities for youth. State Senator Adrian Dickey said, “A lot of young people who want to have a job will be able to save money for a car with their paycheck, buy a prom dress, go to summer camp, and enjoy a weekend date.”
Democrats and state labor countered that it exposes children to dangerous work conditions. Senator Jack Walls criticized the Republican Party for trying to solve the labor force crisis by relying on children. Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, also pointed out, “It puts children in dangerous positions where there is a risk of death.”
The US Economic Policy Institute (EPI) pointed out that in the last two years, at least 10 states have introduced or are pushing for legislation to ease child labor regulations. Arkansas last month scrapped a procedure requiring employers to submit work plans signed by parents when hiring children under the age of 16. Minnesota allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work in the construction industry.
Analysts say that the move to ease child labor regulations is partly due to a severe labor shortage after the pandemic. The overheating of the job market is showing signs of calming down, with job growth falling below market expectations last month. However, as the overall labor shortage is due not only to the pandemic but also to various social factors such as an increase in retirees and a decrease in immigrants, there are observations that the movement to ease child labor regulations will continue for the time being. The Washington Post (WP) analyzed that “employers are preferring younger and ‘cheaper’ employees than adults.”
Experts pointed out that while it is true that some jobs teach children responsibility, professionalism and economic literacy, agriculture, construction and sales can have devastating effects. David Weil, a professor at Brandeis University, pointed out to the WP, “Even though the demand for manpower is high, workplaces with holes in the safety net for workers unfortunately end up filling the holes with child labor (lack of manpower).”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.