Bill introduced to raise labor standards for farmworker children

WASHINGTON (KYMA, KECY) - U.S. Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) and Raul Ruiz (D-California) introduced legislation that would raise labor standards for farmworker children to the same level set for children in other occupations.

Both lawmakers said agriculture is the only industry with labor laws allowing children as young as 12 to work with virtually no restrictions on the number of hours they spend in the fields outside of school.

The Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety (CARE) Act of 2023 would establish a minimum penalty for child labor violations, increase the maximum civil monetary penalties and maximum criminal penalties for child labor violations, and provide children with greater protection against pesticide exposure.

According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, every day, 33 children are injured while working on U.S. farms.

“Farmworkers and their children are some of the most unfairly exploited laborers in our nation. They deserve legal protections, better working conditions, and higher workplace standards to protect their health and safety,” said Rep. Grijalva. “It’s a moral imperative that we update our antiquated labor laws to give children working in agriculture the same protections and rights provided to everyone in the workforce. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation with Rep. Ruiz to protect farmworkers and their kids from southern Arizona to California and beyond. ”

“Farm labor is incredibly dangerous work with one of the highest occupational injury rates in our nation. In fact, every three days, a child employee dies while working in agriculture,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Despite these dangerous conditions, agriculture is the only industry with little to no protections for the 400,000 young children who work in this industry every day. As the son of farmworkers, I’m working to change that. My bill, the CARE Act, would raise labor standards for child farmworkers across the country, protecting their health, safety, and overall well-being. This legislation will bring much-needed parity to farmworkers, advancing equity for the families and workers who help put food on our tables and play an essential role in our economy every day.”