The New York Times investigation of child labor in the United States by Hannah Dreier is an epic piece of journalism that represents the very finest traditions of a free press in a free society. The story is breathtaking and simply astonishing. Did you know that America’s factories are filled with children stuffing Cheerios into cardboard boxes, and working with hazardous machinery? Did you know that some of the children are as young as 13 years old, and some of them are working 12-hour shifts after finishing up 8th and 9th grade class for the day? Mostly, they are immigrants to America. They have arrived at the American border alone, and have found their way into the country where they have been exploited like no child should ever be. This abomination is occurring in America. Some of the largest consumer brands in the world who target child consumers with animated advertising are implicated. Are you outraged? Shocked? Did you suspect child labor wasn’t just widespread in America, but apparently common?
I grew up on a farm and worked from the time I was 6, but I was working for my family. Why would anyone be surprised at the child labor situation? Children are a vulnerable group for the morbidly wealthy robber barons to exploit. In America, we tolerate mass murder of children for the benefit of gun manufacturers and politicians. We have people going bankrupt over medical debt. Or wages so low people can't buy food and medicine at the same time, although they are employed at the "Magic Kingdom" wishing people a "magical" day. This is the plutocracy we live in.
Iowa Rs are currently working to weaken the state's child labor laws. Kids need to be in school, rested, fed, and ready to learn. Oh, wait, Iowa Rs are working to destroy public education, also.
What happens to these children once they are no longer allowed to work? They have been sent to a foreign country ALONE, because their parents/caregivers thought that taking the risk of migrating illegally to America & working the jobs they work to make money is a better alternative to living in their own countries. Outrage at these companies without meaningful help for these kids trying to survive in a foreign country on their own is performative at best. They will turn to crime, unless given better, safer options to work OR supported in other ways until they reach adulthood & can make their own decisions. Children should never work jobs that are deemed unsafe by the Labor Dept, but they should be able to have safe alternatives or somewhere to turn to for help.
As someone raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, let me just say - Yes, this situation is appalling and should be addressed. But, don't forget about those "Except on farms" children too. Just because it is their parents forcing them to work long hours, with dangerous machinery and in dangerous conditions doesn't make it "character building." Children either have the right to safety and protection or they do not.
Slavery never really stopped did it? I am shocked, Steve. How low can you go? Apparently this country is working to see where that bottom is. My Congressman is one of those MAGA types who’s Communications Director is Tucker Carlson’s son, so not much help there, but I will contact him and my two Senators.
My mother came here as a legal immigrant with a bunch of children including myself. She was thrown into factory work and we went and helped her after school. I had no idea it was supposed to be illegal. But I do know that it is counterproductive and dangerous. What saved me was the federal program outside of regular schools that taught English and vocational skill training. It helped me to go out into the American society and started supporting myself by working in an office and going to school at night. It worked at the time because I was allowed a stipend while in the training school.
The first image that came to mind was the 19thC photo of the 7 year old girl tending a Midlands UK spinning Jenny. Then we face Fruit of the Loom in the 21st C. Not all that different from 200 years ago.
Stockholders now is your chance to make your voice heard: what are your child labor practices. We are in he midst of financial audit season, this should be discussed in the Management Letters included with every SEC filing. Boycott yes, but demand accountability from the Board of Directors.
Agree DOL and WH need to address.
Thanks Steve and NYT shining the light in this dark corner
We do not need new child labor laws. However, we do need to enforce the laws already on the books. Our labor laws are some of the toughest in the world but when they are abused by greedy industrialists the consequences are felt mostly by the minority population. We have plenty of laws but without real enforcement there will always be abuses. I have heard the adage to follow the money whenever there is corruption. This is how you go after those who wish to abuse our laws. We have stiff penalties already on the books for those who abuse child labor laws. However, they are rarely enforced until there is a tragedy and then it's too late.
I am a supporter of labor unions. They do more to protect workers rights than all the government's efforts. Joe Biden has the right idea in supporting unions and creating a stronger working population through union jobs. When you have more companies that are unionized the standard of working conditions goes up. The answer is to give more voice to the workers and let them police the abusers and bring them to the attention of the government. This is how you bring attention to the companies who abuse our labor laws for greed.
Iowa is looking to legalize this with a bill that would allow children to work in dangerous industries and of course prohibit them from suing if they are injured. Here in PA, a bipartisan bill was introduced to lower the driving age to 15 without new restrictions--to match that of surrounding states Oh, MD, WV--to enable them to “drive to their jobs.” This is insanity.
Is there a list of companies that are involved? If so, can you publish it? Can the Times print a list for everyone to see? Can that list be aired (like election ads) on every major station - with the government funding the air time? Until those companies are held accountable (ie: their bottom line) probably nothing will happen.
I think it was around 25 years ago that our oldest weekly newspaper The Nation (founded by abolitionists in 1865) ran a major article about immigrant child labor being exploited by the biggest firms processing chicken, egg, and meat products (Tyson, Cargill, et al.). (This is yet another of the umpteen reasons to go plant-based, since those food-producing jobs are in most cases not nearly as dangerous as the horrifying jobs in the animal-products industry.)
The Nation's undercover story reported how nefarious agents of these big corporations would deceptively troll for desperate immigrants and truck them into the USA, confining them in grossly overcrowded dorms (that's why so many died during the COVID pandemic), and subjecting them to workplace horrors of high-stress and dangerous tasks, and obscenely long hours in the slaughterhouses, meat-packing plants and egg "factories."
Because they had no proper ID, these hapless, helpless migrants could not go to law enforcement agencies for protection or to any other agencies for relief.
So this NY Times report is no surprise to me or other readers of the progressive independent press and media, who have reported on this terrible story for a long time and been pleading for union-building efforts, enforcement of child labor laws, etc.
But blithely ignorant consumers and corrupt "bought and paid for" politicians (Republicans and corporatist Democrats) refuse to go after the big corporations that produce this toxic food, so nightmarish for the animals and for the children and older migrant laborers who are so viciously exploited by Tyson, Cargill, et al.
This should be a huge, unified, bipartisan issue but I fear the right will somehow justify child labor violations and the exploitation of children to support their argument, of “nobody wants to work”! Deflect and distract, and get nothing accomplished once again. Remind me again, who’s all about saving the children?
Human rights. To what avail does this mean when seeking human rights abroad when at home stories such as the one you bring to our attention perpetuate? Child labor in the United States is not new. But it should be our daily news. Child labor and regulations are a farce when children without parents are lured to work in extreme conditions such as are for those who work in pig farms, animal farms, construction, factories and the handling of machinery. Where is OSHA? It is such exploitation that children run away from. That parents or adults push them away from to embark such perilous voyages. Who lose their adult carers along the way. Phrases such as "parental consent" circulate in the regulatory manuals which, as stories such as the one above clearly exposes, just escape the regulatory power. It means that all has no meaning when there is no oversight and when accountability just escapes the American Congress when it is beholden to the interests of the few and the corporations that reach the basest of all levels in workers' protections. Children should not be doing any work so perilous and barely undertaken by adults. It is brutal. Stories of child exploitation, statistics of children dying doing what they should never have been doing, have been in the news for a long time.
I agree that this should be addressed aggressively by the press and there should be no wiggling away from facing such an urgent call to action from the White House. Human rights begin at home. And, by the way, the expectation that it is always citizens who must embark in projects to bring justice in the agencies with all the capabilities and regulations in hand is mind-boggling. The Warning is a must read and should be read by the Press Secretary of the White House.
Steve called the NYT's report on grotesque child labor practices among "the very finest traditions of a free press in a free society." Prescient? It's 2:06 p.m. CST and this story just arrived: "The Biden administration on Monday announced a wide crackdown on the labor exploitation of migrant children around the United States, including more aggressive investigations of companies benefiting from their work." Hooray! There's hope for these kiddos!
I grew up on a farm and worked from the time I was 6, but I was working for my family. Why would anyone be surprised at the child labor situation? Children are a vulnerable group for the morbidly wealthy robber barons to exploit. In America, we tolerate mass murder of children for the benefit of gun manufacturers and politicians. We have people going bankrupt over medical debt. Or wages so low people can't buy food and medicine at the same time, although they are employed at the "Magic Kingdom" wishing people a "magical" day. This is the plutocracy we live in.
Iowa Rs are currently working to weaken the state's child labor laws. Kids need to be in school, rested, fed, and ready to learn. Oh, wait, Iowa Rs are working to destroy public education, also.
What happens to these children once they are no longer allowed to work? They have been sent to a foreign country ALONE, because their parents/caregivers thought that taking the risk of migrating illegally to America & working the jobs they work to make money is a better alternative to living in their own countries. Outrage at these companies without meaningful help for these kids trying to survive in a foreign country on their own is performative at best. They will turn to crime, unless given better, safer options to work OR supported in other ways until they reach adulthood & can make their own decisions. Children should never work jobs that are deemed unsafe by the Labor Dept, but they should be able to have safe alternatives or somewhere to turn to for help.
As someone raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, let me just say - Yes, this situation is appalling and should be addressed. But, don't forget about those "Except on farms" children too. Just because it is their parents forcing them to work long hours, with dangerous machinery and in dangerous conditions doesn't make it "character building." Children either have the right to safety and protection or they do not.
Slavery never really stopped did it? I am shocked, Steve. How low can you go? Apparently this country is working to see where that bottom is. My Congressman is one of those MAGA types who’s Communications Director is Tucker Carlson’s son, so not much help there, but I will contact him and my two Senators.
My mother came here as a legal immigrant with a bunch of children including myself. She was thrown into factory work and we went and helped her after school. I had no idea it was supposed to be illegal. But I do know that it is counterproductive and dangerous. What saved me was the federal program outside of regular schools that taught English and vocational skill training. It helped me to go out into the American society and started supporting myself by working in an office and going to school at night. It worked at the time because I was allowed a stipend while in the training school.
The first image that came to mind was the 19thC photo of the 7 year old girl tending a Midlands UK spinning Jenny. Then we face Fruit of the Loom in the 21st C. Not all that different from 200 years ago.
Stockholders now is your chance to make your voice heard: what are your child labor practices. We are in he midst of financial audit season, this should be discussed in the Management Letters included with every SEC filing. Boycott yes, but demand accountability from the Board of Directors.
Agree DOL and WH need to address.
Thanks Steve and NYT shining the light in this dark corner
We do not need new child labor laws. However, we do need to enforce the laws already on the books. Our labor laws are some of the toughest in the world but when they are abused by greedy industrialists the consequences are felt mostly by the minority population. We have plenty of laws but without real enforcement there will always be abuses. I have heard the adage to follow the money whenever there is corruption. This is how you go after those who wish to abuse our laws. We have stiff penalties already on the books for those who abuse child labor laws. However, they are rarely enforced until there is a tragedy and then it's too late.
I am a supporter of labor unions. They do more to protect workers rights than all the government's efforts. Joe Biden has the right idea in supporting unions and creating a stronger working population through union jobs. When you have more companies that are unionized the standard of working conditions goes up. The answer is to give more voice to the workers and let them police the abusers and bring them to the attention of the government. This is how you bring attention to the companies who abuse our labor laws for greed.
Iowa is looking to legalize this with a bill that would allow children to work in dangerous industries and of course prohibit them from suing if they are injured. Here in PA, a bipartisan bill was introduced to lower the driving age to 15 without new restrictions--to match that of surrounding states Oh, MD, WV--to enable them to “drive to their jobs.” This is insanity.
Is there a list of companies that are involved? If so, can you publish it? Can the Times print a list for everyone to see? Can that list be aired (like election ads) on every major station - with the government funding the air time? Until those companies are held accountable (ie: their bottom line) probably nothing will happen.
I think it was around 25 years ago that our oldest weekly newspaper The Nation (founded by abolitionists in 1865) ran a major article about immigrant child labor being exploited by the biggest firms processing chicken, egg, and meat products (Tyson, Cargill, et al.). (This is yet another of the umpteen reasons to go plant-based, since those food-producing jobs are in most cases not nearly as dangerous as the horrifying jobs in the animal-products industry.)
The Nation's undercover story reported how nefarious agents of these big corporations would deceptively troll for desperate immigrants and truck them into the USA, confining them in grossly overcrowded dorms (that's why so many died during the COVID pandemic), and subjecting them to workplace horrors of high-stress and dangerous tasks, and obscenely long hours in the slaughterhouses, meat-packing plants and egg "factories."
Because they had no proper ID, these hapless, helpless migrants could not go to law enforcement agencies for protection or to any other agencies for relief.
So this NY Times report is no surprise to me or other readers of the progressive independent press and media, who have reported on this terrible story for a long time and been pleading for union-building efforts, enforcement of child labor laws, etc.
But blithely ignorant consumers and corrupt "bought and paid for" politicians (Republicans and corporatist Democrats) refuse to go after the big corporations that produce this toxic food, so nightmarish for the animals and for the children and older migrant laborers who are so viciously exploited by Tyson, Cargill, et al.
This should be a huge, unified, bipartisan issue but I fear the right will somehow justify child labor violations and the exploitation of children to support their argument, of “nobody wants to work”! Deflect and distract, and get nothing accomplished once again. Remind me again, who’s all about saving the children?
Human rights. To what avail does this mean when seeking human rights abroad when at home stories such as the one you bring to our attention perpetuate? Child labor in the United States is not new. But it should be our daily news. Child labor and regulations are a farce when children without parents are lured to work in extreme conditions such as are for those who work in pig farms, animal farms, construction, factories and the handling of machinery. Where is OSHA? It is such exploitation that children run away from. That parents or adults push them away from to embark such perilous voyages. Who lose their adult carers along the way. Phrases such as "parental consent" circulate in the regulatory manuals which, as stories such as the one above clearly exposes, just escape the regulatory power. It means that all has no meaning when there is no oversight and when accountability just escapes the American Congress when it is beholden to the interests of the few and the corporations that reach the basest of all levels in workers' protections. Children should not be doing any work so perilous and barely undertaken by adults. It is brutal. Stories of child exploitation, statistics of children dying doing what they should never have been doing, have been in the news for a long time.
I agree that this should be addressed aggressively by the press and there should be no wiggling away from facing such an urgent call to action from the White House. Human rights begin at home. And, by the way, the expectation that it is always citizens who must embark in projects to bring justice in the agencies with all the capabilities and regulations in hand is mind-boggling. The Warning is a must read and should be read by the Press Secretary of the White House.
Another example how greed will destroy. Of course it must be stopped.
Steve called the NYT's report on grotesque child labor practices among "the very finest traditions of a free press in a free society." Prescient? It's 2:06 p.m. CST and this story just arrived: "The Biden administration on Monday announced a wide crackdown on the labor exploitation of migrant children around the United States, including more aggressive investigations of companies benefiting from their work." Hooray! There's hope for these kiddos!
I had no idea this was happening in America. I'm appalled!
I just emailed the President, my Senators and House Representative regarding this issue.