Legal Definitions - child-labor law

A child-labor law is a legal regulation, enacted by either federal or state governments, specifically designed to protect children from exploitation and hazardous work environments. These laws establish clear rules regarding the minimum age for employment, the types of jobs children can perform, the maximum number of hours they are permitted to work, and other conditions necessary to ensure their safety, health, and access to education.

Here are some examples illustrating how child-labor laws apply:

• Imagine a small local bakery that wants to hire a 13-year-old to work every weekday afternoon after school until late in the evening. A child-labor law would likely prohibit this. Most such laws set a minimum age for employment (often 14 for non-agricultural work) and restrict the hours minors can work, especially during school days, to ensure they have time for education and rest. This example demonstrates how child-labor laws protect children by setting age limits and restricting work hours to prevent interference with their schooling and well-being.

• Consider a manufacturing plant that produces metal parts, involving the operation of heavy machinery and exposure to loud noises and potential chemical fumes. If the plant attempted to hire a 16-year-old to operate a large stamping press, child-labor laws would intervene. These laws typically prohibit minors from engaging in occupations deemed hazardous, regardless of their age, to safeguard them from serious injury or long-term health risks associated with dangerous equipment or environments. This illustrates how the laws define and restrict children from performing certain dangerous jobs.

• Suppose a 15-year-old is working at a fast-food restaurant during the summer. While child-labor laws permit minors of this age to work, they often impose limits on the total number of hours per week and per day, as well as requiring specific break times. If the restaurant tried to schedule the teenager for 60 hours a week without breaks, child-labor laws would prevent this. This example highlights how these laws regulate working conditions, including hours and breaks, even for permissible jobs, to ensure children are not overworked and have adequate rest.