| For Immediate Release | CONTACT: | Holly Anderson |
| 3/3/99 | ||
| (202) 835-3323 | ||
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C....On Tuesday, the House passed legislation to relax federal child labor protections which prohibit minors under the age of 18 from working in sawmills and woodworking shops. The prohibition is one of 17 Hazardous Occupation Orders, each of which restricts employment for minors in dangerous industries and from operating hazardous equipment. The House voted to allow Amish minors as young as 14 years old to work in sawmills and woodworking shops (H.R. 221).
This action underscores a disturbing trend in Congress. Linda
Golodner, NCL president and co-chair of the Child Labor Coalition
elaborates, "The trend we have seen is the US Department
of Labor enforcing the law and assessing penalties for violators.
The industry reacts. Instead of responding by taking steps to
comply with the law, the industry makes it a legislative priority
to remove the offending legislation," says Golodner, "The
child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act need to
be strengthened. Endangering young workers by rolling back existing
protections is not the way Congress should do it." This is
the third example in three years of Congress stepping in to change
the law instead of expecting industry to comply with the law.
In 1996, Congress amended Hazardous Order 12 allowing minors to
load paper balers, with restrictions. Formerly, HO 12 prohibited
minors from loading, operating, or repairing paper balers. The
change was prompted by US DOL fines and penalties at grocery stores.
Leading the assault was the National Grocers' Association and
the Food Marketing Institute.
In 1998, Hazardous Order 2 was revised by Congress, allowing 17-year-olds expanded occupational driving. In its original form, the bill would have allowed expanded driving for 16-year-olds as well. Prior to the 1998 action, the FLSA prohibited occupational driving for minors under the age of 18 except on an "occasional and incidental" basis which was very narrowly defined by the US DOL. Again, US DOL fines against car dealerships spurred the legislative action. Leading the assault was the National Automobile Dealers Association.
This week's action was the result of several Amish businesses being fined thousands of dollars for child labor violations. Committee Chairman Rep. William Goodling (R-PA) said, "...the Department of Labor's actions are undermining the Amish culture." Child Labor advocates counter that "The House's action is endangering the lives of youth and is undermining the child labor laws in this country."
Sent to the Senate on a voice vote, the legislation compromises the safety of working minors and opens the door for further assault on child labor laws. Also, there are questions about the constitutionality of exempting the Amish--solely based on religious tradition--from a protection which is considered a prudent and necessary prohibition for working youth.
"We trust the bill will die in the Senate," says
Linda Golodner, NCL president. "If an industry is dangerous
for minors--then it should apply to all minors. That's common
sense."
For more information, write the National Consumers League at 1701 K Street, N. W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006; 202-835-3323.
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit organization representing the consumer on marketplace and workplace issues.