Democracy Rules

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.