This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the “Child Labor Accountability Act.”
Rubio’s office offered some of the reasons why he introduced the bill.
“In Fiscal Year 2023, child labor violations soared. These numbers came as media reports highlighted time-and-time again the need for increased transparency, accountability, and resources for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – the leading federal agency tasked with combating child labor violations,” Rubio’s office noted.
The bill will “ensure Congress receives a detailed annual report from DOL on these violations” and “provides DOL with more time to obtain a court order to halt the shipment of goods produced with unlawful child labor.”
On Thursday, Rubio weighed in on the legislation.
“Above all, minors in America should not be exploited, and U.S. law needs to be strengthened to make sure these children are protected from abusive scenarios. This bipartisan legislation will ensure Congress receives more information to better address these illegal practices,” said Rubio.
U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper, D-Col., Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., are co-sponsoring the proposal.
“We must do everything in our power to crack down on companies illegally profiting off the exploitation of child labor — including unaccompanied migrant children. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Rubio, Hickenlooper, and Marshall, working across the aisle to expand the window in which the Department of Labor can hold companies accountable for these unacceptable abuses and require more comprehensive annual reports for Congress on federal child labor law violations,” said Padilla.
“Across the country, kids are being exploited for low-paid, dangerous labor– especially vulnerable migrant children. Our bill will increase accountability and transparency, and make it easier to identify and stop child labor,” said Hickenlooper.
“Violating child labor laws is a heinous crime that should be met with strict and swift penalties. Congress should have access to all of the information when looking into these abuses that are targeting children. The additional reporting required in this bill is essential for us to better combat child labor offenses in the future,” said Marshall.
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. So far, there is no companion measure in the U.S. House.
