LABOR »» CHILD LABOR »» CHILD FARMWORKERS »» Oct 09, 2023

Child farmworkers are exempted from most federal labor laws that regulate the employment of children in nearly all other industries. Most 12-year olds are not permitted to work more than 3 hours on a school day but children who work on farms can work unlimited hours before and after school. Between 300,000 and 800,000 minors are now working for a living in our agriculture industry. Many are members of families that need help providing for them. More children are injured and killed while working on farms than any other job. Each year, about 33,000 children are injured and more than 100 die while working with dangerous farm tools and heavy equipment. Some of these children work from 10 to 12 hours in sweltering heat, with little water or no access to restrooms. Some are also exposed to large doses of pesticides which may cause cancer or damage their reproductive and nervous systems. Nearly half of these children are never able to finish high school. Child advocates claim this exploitation will continue as long as these conditions are legal. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.3394 - Children's Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2019 Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Barbara Lee (CA) I oppose reforming current tobacco farm policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader Charles Schumer (NY). I support amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit employment of children in tobacco-related agriculture by deeming such employment as oppressive child labor. This bill redefines "oppressive child labor," to include the employment of any employee under age 18 who has direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit employment of children in tobacco-related agriculture by deeming such employment as oppressive child labor. This bill redefines "oppressive child labor," to include the employment of any employee under age 18 who has direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Senator If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider passing S.1921 - Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act. Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs If elected as a trustee, Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate for extending federal child labor law protections to child farmworkers. About: AFOP has been an advocate for migrant and seasonal farmworkers since 1971. It believes that training and education can lead to a better and more stable life for the workers who plant, tend, and harvest the crops that Americans consume at their tables. AFOP operates the largest and most extensive national program of pesticide safety for farmworkers in the country. It also works to improve the quality of life for migrant and seasonal farmworker children through community organizing, public education, and advocacy. AFOP members also serve farmworkers in other ways, including Head Start, health, education, ESOL, housing, and economic development. Others operate emergency food and clothing banks in their efforts to assist very low-income workers and their families.

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