Honolulu Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 25, 2023, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), alongside more than 50 advocacy organizations, in introducing the bicameral Child Labor Exploitation Accountability Act, legislation aimed at holding corporations accountable for the exploitation of children and workers in the food industry.

The billprohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from engaging in contracts with companies that have committed egregious labor law violations and/or contracted with vendors that have incurred, and failed to rectify, serious worker or labor infractions.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that in this day and age, Congress must take action to hold corporations accountable for making profits on the backs of our children. These cruel and dangerous actions can not be allowed to stand in the United States of America,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda. “US Department of Labor studies show that child employment has increased 69% across the county since 2018 which is unacceptable. Companies that are illegally employing children must be held accountable for these violations. This bill will do just that by establishing strong enforcement measures to prevent abusive child labor.”

“Today, we’re seeing so many children – especially migrant children – forced to work unsafe, dangerous, and overnight jobs by some of the biggest corporations in our country,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “It’s unacceptable. That’s why we’re introducing the Child Labor Exploitation Accountability Act to end child labor by ensuring that if companies want USDA dollars, then they shouldn’t break federal labor law. We can care for all children, and make sure they can get the education, food, housing, and development opportunities they need.” 

“We must hold companies accountable if they violate labor laws and exploit workers, including vulnerable children,” said Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.). “Companies that benefit from federal contracts have a responsibility to ensure that their workers, whether direct employees or contract workers, are treated fairly and safely. My bill will ensure companies are barred from participating in federal contracts if they engage in labor law violations that include the use of child labor. This sends a clear message to corporations that they cannot put their profits above the health, safety, and well-being of workers, especially children.”

“No child should be made to do hazardous work – but as recent reporting has shown, that remains all too common in the United States,” said Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). “We must use every tool at our disposal to end child labor, and that’s why I am proud to join Sen. Booker to introduce the Child Labor Exploitation Accountability Act and leverage the power of federal contracts to hold corporations accountable for these shameful practices.”

Specifically, the Child Labor Exploitation Accountability Act would:

• Require companies competing for contracts with Department of Agriculture to disclose labor and worker safety infractions by the company itself as well as by any of their contractors in the preceding three years
• Empower the Secretary of Labor to determine corrective measures for a company and/or their contractors to remain eligible for the USDA contracts
• Require the Secretary of Labor to prepare a list of companies that are ineligible for USDA contracts for that year based on serious, repeated, or pervasive violations of labor laws, and 
• Establish strong enforcement measures to ensure USDA and DOL compliance.

Original source can be found here.