Bill approved to allow child labor in the US state of Iowa

The decision to legalize child labor in the Iowa State Senate in the US generated controversy.

Iowa children will be allowed to work longer hours, under a new law passed by the Senate yesterday. The law also allows children to work in jobs that are currently prohibited, such as the assembly line or serving alcoholic beverages.

APPROVED BY THE REPUBLIC

Only 1 Republican lawmaker and 16 opposition Democrats opposed the bill, which passed 17-32 in the Senate. The law was sent to the second-tier parliament, again controlled by the Republicans.

By law, 14-year-olds will be able to work 6-hour night shifts, 15-year-olds will be able to “do light assembly work” and 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to serve alcohol with parental consent.

THE EMPLOYER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WORK ACCIDENTS

Senate Democrats have tried throughout the debate to introduce additional workers’ compensation for children who are more likely to be injured due to inexperience, but failed.

Under the law, high school students in the state will be able to participate in “work-based learning programs” so they can work part-time while studying. However, the law includes the provision that “A business that admits a high school student to a program of study shall not be liable for any claim for bodily injury to the student.”

‘SINGLE ATTACK’

Although child labor laws were considered one of the first achievements of the US labor rights movements in the early 20th century, experts are concerned that the latest law encourages child labor.

Eric Blanc, a professor of labor studies at Rutgers University, said: “It is an unprecedented attack to go this far and claim rights that were won 100 years ago. “This points to the desire of Republicans and the companies that finance them to launch a counterattack.”