A “doffer” boy at Globe Cotton Mills in Georgia (1909), Source Library of Congress, Author National Photo Company Collection (Digital ID npcc.19471), (PD)
UNICEF reports that some 138 million children worldwide were engaged in child labor in 2024, over a third of those in hazardous work [1A].
UNICEF defines work hazardous for children as “work that, by its nature or circumstances, is likely to harm children’s health, safety or moral development [1B].”
- Such work may take place under especially difficult conditions, involving long or overnight hours [1C][2A]. Often, it involves the use of or proximity to dangerous machinery, equipment, and tools. Agriculture and meat packing plants fall into this category.
- Such work may take place in an unhealthy environment where children are exposed to dangerous substances or processes, or to extreme temperatures or noise levels [1D][2B]. Munitions plants fall into this category.
- Such work may take place underground, underwater, at treacherous heights, or in confined spaces [1E][2C]. Mines fall into this category.
Usually, child labor interferes with a child’s right to play and to receive an education. It may require strength beyond a child’s capacity.
Hazardous work is one of the worst forms of child labor, putting children at risk of permanent injury or death. It includes, but is not limited to, anything that exposes children to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse [1F].
Federal vs. State Law
Federal laws to protect young workers were established by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 [3A].
Shockingly, over the past 5 years some 28 states have introduced legislation to reduce protections for young workers [4A]. Twelve states have gone on to enact them [4B]. Iowa, for example, passed a law permitting 14 year olds to work on assembly lines and in meat packing plants, in direct violation of federal child labor laws [3B].
This was, in part, a response to labor shortages during Covid-19 [5].
However, it, also, reflects the interests of certain industry groups with the goal of eliminating so called obsolete, ineffective, and wasteful rules while combating government overreach [6A]. The argument made is that businesses have much stronger financial incentives than OSHA penalties to maintain and improve workplace safety, i.e. lost productivity, workers’ compensation claims, and liability suits [6B].
Unfortunately for children, that argument does not hold much water. Reforms had to be forced on business. They were not voluntarily undertaken in the best interests of children. The monetary incentive was always paramount.
So it remains today. Children can all to easily be exploited, particularly those in dire straits or unaware of their rights. They are unlikely to bring workers compensation claims or liability suits without assistance.
Project 2025
Wikipedia, which tends to exhibit a liberal bias, characterizes Project 2025 as a political initiative first proposed by the Heritage Foundation to reshape the federal government and consolidate Executive Power in favor of conservative policies [7]. Even from a conservative perspective, however, some of those policies are extreme.
Pres. Donald Trump has expressly denied involvement with Project 2025 [8]. But concerns remain, since Project 2025 would, among other things, revise “hazard order” regulations to allow teens to work in hazardous jobs [3C].
This is a fight for the safety of our children that should already have been won.
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[1A through 1F] UNICEF, “What is child labour?”, https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour.
[2A, 2B, and 2C] International Labour Office Geneva (ILO), “Children and Youth in hazardous work”, 5/24/11, https//www.ilo.org>media>download pdf.
[3A, 3B, and 3C] Center for American Progress (CAP), “Project 2025 Would Exploit Child Labor by Allowing Minors in Dangerous Conditions with Fewer Protections” by Veronica Goodman, 7/18/24, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-would-exploit-child-labor-by-allowing-minors-to-work-in-dangerous-conditions-with-fewer-protections/.
[4A and 4B] Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Working Economics Blog, “Child labor remains a key legislative issue in 2024” by Nina Mast, 2/7/24, https://www.epi.org/blog/child-labor-remains-a-key-state-legislative-issue-in-2024-state-lawmakers-must-seize-opportunities-to-strengthen-standards-resist-ongoing-attacks-on-child-labor-laws.
[5] PBS, “Some lawmakers propose loosening child labor laws to fill worker shortage” by Harm Venhuizen, 5/25/23, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/some-lawmakers-propose-loosening-child-labor-laws-to-fill-worker-shortage.
[6A and 6B] Heritage Foundation, “How to Close Down the Department of Labor” by Mark Wilson, 10/19/95, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/report/how-close-down-the-department-labor.
[7] Wikipedia, “Project 2025”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_2025.
[8] YouTube, “WATCH: ‘I have nothing to do with Project 2025,’ Trump says”/Presidential Debate, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUnunvxzpgE.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
The scale and persistence of child labor, especially in hazardous conditions, is heartbreaking. Thank you for shedding light on the intersection between policy, corporate interests, and the vulnerability of children.
You are too kind, Anna. Sadly, this is a worldwide problem.
I’ve only recently become aware of the push from certain quarters to advance these kinds of changes. While I fully support creating more opportunities for young people who wish to pursue them, we all know that isn’t the true motive behind this legislative push.
As someone who has spent considerable time studying the socio-economic conditions of the 19th and 20th centuries, I’ve learned one thing: that is an era we do not want to revisit. The poverty and exploitation of the time are almost beyond comprehension from our modern perspective. As always, thank you for highlighting this subtle but potentially dangerous trend!
–Scott
I did not realize you had such expertise, Scott. Thank you for your input. Blessings, A.
Informatics writing, yes child labour is a big problem for us
Having spent nearly three decades working hard to ensure workplace safety, it is appalling to think that any employer would exploit children in the manner you describe.
I know all too well the mindset of manufacturers who seek any loophole to get around OSHA compliance, but I also understand the extreme dangers associated with manufacturing equipment. To bring a vulnerable child into such an environment is unthinkable by any stretch of the imagination, especially so in America.
Thank you for speaking out, Ron. I always value your opinion.
You’d imagine that some 120 years since this photo was taken there would be total reform. Child labour is a terrible form of exploitation. I might add Anna that your research skills are mighty impressive and a reliable source in the present sea of misinformation.
You are very kind, Ravishank. ❤ I cannot tell you how much it means to me that these issues matter to you. I am at an age now when I can do very little, myself, other than research and write. My hope though is to motivate and inspire others.
You are an inspiration Anna 😌
Sometimes it feels unsettling how quickly people are willing to discard a proven concept in pursuit of what they see as a performance or economy boost. Child labor was not prohibited without reason—countless studies have shown that it undermines education and, in the long run, leads to a state’s economic decline.
It’s true that in the past, children who worked often valued education more than today’s children, who receive it on a silver platter. Yet historical sources make it clear: those children, however much they may have dreamed, were trapped in a vicious circle.
In my view, whenever a child is forced by circumstance to work for survival, it marks not their failure, but the failure of the society around them.
Well said, Hubert.
It’s hard not to be appalled at those whose focus is on economic conservatism who have little to no regard for moral and social values. The free market is their master, and human beings, least of all children, are mere numbers on their profit/loss sheet. Their barns are full but their hearts are empty.
Well said, Dora.