Letter to the editor: Lawmakers shouldn't allow children to be exploited

It was depressing to read the article “States chip away at child labor laws” (April 23). This past century, we fought hard for laws to protect workers against unfair labor practices and to protect our children against exploitation. Stories of our youth in sweat shops, mills and mines still are vivid. We thought that all was behind us.

But, now, the U.S. Department of Labor reports a 69% increase in the number of children employed illegally since 2018. Unfortunately, the penalties for breaking child labor laws are minimal, a slap on the wrist. It is written off as the cost of doing business.

The captains of industry consider even that too much. They have gotten some lawmakers to do their bidding in rolling back child labor protections. To read their justifications — “valuable work experiences,” “supplement their families’ incomes” — is nauseating. They are abusing our most vulnerable so they can make more money, period.

It is interesting how some lawmakers profess to being pro-life, wanting to outlaw abortion. Yet these same lawmakers, when children are being killed by guns, they vote against gun safety laws. When the children are being exploited by unscrupulous businessmen, they vote to facilitate that abuse.

Gloria Gralewski

Manor