For additional information on the Model State Child Labor Law, contact:
Diane Mull
Executive Director
Association of Farmworker Opportunity
Programs |
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Problem:
- Child labor provisions are divided into two categories: agricultural
and non-agricultural labor.
- Minors working in agriculture are less protected from exploitation
and more exposed to hazardous employment which threatens their healh, safety,
education, and well-being.
Status:
- Seventy-six percent of the states set a minimum age for non-agricultural
employment at 14 years. In agricultural employment, 27 percent of the states
set a minimum age below 14 years and 49 percent have no minimum age for
employment.
- For child agricultural workers, the maximum hours of work while school
is in session is either greatly exteneded or no maximum is set at all:
57 percent of the states do not set maximum hours for 14- and 15-years-old
and 78 percent do not set maximum hours for 16- and 17-year-olds. For the
states that do set maximum hours of work, they are as high as 60 hours
a week, even when school is in session.
Model State Child Labor Law:
In response to outdated and insufficient state child labor laws, the
Child Labor Coalition drafted a model state law. Important provisions in
the model law provide equal protection for migrant and seasonal farmworker
children, as provided for minors employed in non-agricultural industries.
- The model law sets a minimum age of 14 for all employment (whether
non-agricultural or agricultural employment);
- The model law sets the same maximum hours of work while school is in
and out of session (for non-agricultural and agricultural employment);
When School is in Session:
14- and 15-year-olds ­ 15 hours maximum
16-and 17-year-olds ­ 20 hours maximum
When School is not in Session:
14- and 15-year-olds ­ 30 hours maximum
16-and 17-year-olds ­ 40 hours maximum
- The model law prohibits minors (under age 18) from dangerous agricultural
occupations and substances and operating hazardous tools and machinery.
- The model law requires a certificate of employment for working minors,
regardless of occupation.
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