More than 100 organizations urge full restoration of USDOL/ILAB programming and staffing to fight against child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829    
Washington, DC — In a bold show of unity, more than 100 organizations have issued a new statement urging Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and the U.S. Congress to restore essential programs and staffing levels of the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), a frontline force in the global fight against child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB also plays an important role in expanding global labor protections, with the aim of ensuring a level-playing field for American businesses at risk from overseas manufacturing that relies on exploited labor.
In late March, the Trump Administration terminated more than $500 million in ILAB grant programs. The Bureau is now bracing for catastrophic staff reductions and is expected to lose at least half its personnel this week.
For decades, ILAB has stood as a global leader and the primary U.S. government funder of child labor remediation and a major funder of efforts to reduce forced labor and human trafficking internationally.
The signatories of the ILAB-support statement include human rights, labor rights, anti-trafficking, and child rights organizations, as well as representatives of the U.S. business community. Faith-based groups and two of the largest unions in the U.S.—the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers—who share deep concern about the development of children at risk of child labor, are also among the signatories.
We are unified in our message: the United States must not abandon its global leadership role in defending our most vulnerable workers.
The ILAB-support letter and list of signatories can be found here.
A list of quotes from some of the statement signatories follows:
“For decades, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has been the U.S. government’s primary funder of child labor remediation projects around the world. ILAB also funds projects to reduce and end forced labor and human trafficking and to expand labor rights to ensure that American businesses do not face unfair competition from overseas companies that engage in exploitative labor practices. Over the last 25 years, ILAB has played a leading role in the remarkable reduction of global child labor from 246 million to 168 million—by more than one third. Cuts to ILAB’s programming and staff threaten to spark a dramatic increase in global child labor.”
  • Reid Maki, director of child labor advocacy, Child Labor Coalition and National Consumers League
“The ILAB team has deep expertise in carrying out important priorities to all Americans, including ensuring that products that come into our country are made free from child and forced labor. It also works on monitoring and enforcing the effective implementation of our trade agreements. The ILAB programs provide a vital tool for our nation to fight against trafficking, child labor and exploitative cheap labor. The elimination of these grants and possible staff positions undermines the interests of workers in the United States and around the world.”
  • Liz Shuler, president, AFL-CIO
“The dismantling of ILAB grants and accompanying staff reductions threatens to unravel decades of progress in combating forced and child labor, human trafficking and exploitation around the world. For over 20 years, ILAB-supported programs have helped uphold the values of dignity, freedom and fairness by supporting grassroots efforts to ensure safe workplaces and human rights protections across global supply chains. Crucially, many of these programs were established to enforce labor provisions in countries where the United States has trade agreements. They help ensure that our trading partners live up to their commitments. Cutting these programs risks turning a blind eye to violations that directly impact the fairness of our trade relationships.”
  • Shawna Bader Blau, executive director, Solidarity Center
“ILAB’s work reflects the values of the American people and the Trump administration by putting American workers and businesses first. Eliminating all ILAB grants instead puts American workers and American businesses last, leading to unfair competition with countries and foreign businesses that are not held to the same laws and standards for labor abuses, forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor.”
  • Nate Herman, senior vice president of policy, American Apparel and Footwear Association
“Workers around the world are at higher risk of exploitation and abuse because of these cuts. Without ILAB programs, more children will end up in dangerous work that could harm their health, disrupt their education, and rob them of their childhood.”
  • Jo Becker, children’s rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch
“Forced labor and child labor are ubiquitous in global supply chains, harming the victims and creating an unfair playing field for U.S. workers. For more than two decades, the Department of Labor’s international grant programs have made tremendous strides in combating human trafficking and abuse. That has now ended. The administration’s counterproductive decision to eliminate $500 million in funding for this work undermines progress in the global fight to end forced labor and child exploitation. We strongly urge Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to restore this essential funding immediately and to end the attack on ILAB.”
  • Martina E. Vandenberg, president, Human Trafficking Legal Center
“We call on Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to restore ILAB’s funding. Through our work and partnerships, we have seen how this funding and the bureau’s partnership has been pivotal in addressing forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor by supporting organizations in developing enforceable brand agreements in India and Lesotho, strengthening labor standards for seafood workers in the Asia Pacific, advancing freedom of association in Mexico, and more. The loss of $500 million will have crippling effects around the world and impact those most vulnerable.”
  • Kehinde A. Togun, managing director, Public Engagement, Humanity United
“Restoring these grants gives child laborers a fighting chance at an education, better jobs as adults, and raises wages and living standards world-wide.”
  • Tim Ryan, chair, Global March Against Child Labour

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.    

New anti-child labor campaign targets major U.S. meat companies for illegal child labor in slaughterhouses

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Green America and the Child Labor Coalition launched a new campaign aimed at eradicating child labor and labor violations in the food production industry, with a focus on the four top U.S. meat processing companies. The campaign will focus on child labor and labor violations at Perdue Farms, JBS, Tyson and Cargill, including launching a consumer petition and engaging a network of allied grassroots groups on the ground across the country.

Once thought a relic of the past, child labor is on the rise in the United States. Major U.S. corporations are putting children as young as 13 to work in dangerous jobs they are too young to perform and that are hazardous to their health. An estimated 300,000 to 500,000 children are working in the agriculture industry alone.

In January, Perdue Farms and JBS, two of the country’s largest meat-packers, were fined a combined $8 million for relying on children to work in their slaughterhouses. Children also have been reportedly working in dangerous conditions at Tyson and Cargill facilities. To make matters worse, 31 states have worked to loosen child labor and safety laws since 2021.

Reid Maki, Child Labor Advocacy Director for the Child Labor Coalition and National Consumers League, said: “Children’s lives are on the line and there is no time to waste. In just the last two years, the U.S. has experienced fatalities and permanent, traumatic injuries involving children working at dangerous and exploitative jobs in meat-processing facilities. Companies have a legal and moral obligation to eliminate child labor in the food production industry.”

Charlotte Tate, Labor Justice Campaigns Director at Green America, said: “In the United States today, illegal child labor is resurgent because of the irresponsible business practices of corporations, including some of the top meat-packing companies. It’s appalling that multi-billion-dollar meat producers are profiting from children carrying out dangerous work cleaning in their facilities. Cargill hit record profits of up to $6 billion in recent years. JBS is even bigger, with a reported $20 billion profit last year alone. While companies are taking steps in response to federal investigations, more needs to be done to protect children from child labor and unsafe working conditions throughout their entire supply chains.”

Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director at Green America said: “Sadly, there have been several reports of minors who suffered injuries that included mangled arms and chemical burns in food processing facilities cleaned by contractors hired by meatpacking companies. These children are working long hours, often late in the night, to do work that should only be performed by adults.”

JBS – JBS is the world’s largest meat processor. The Department of Labor recently uncovered serious child labor violations at multiple JBS facilities, revealing minors as young as 13 years old working in hazardous working conditions. These violations were found in locations in Grand Island, Nebraska; Greeley, Colorado; Worthington, Minnesota; and Marshall, Minnesota. The Department of Labor report states that these minors were exposed to and cleaned hazardous machinery during overnight shifts. JBS paid $4 million in fines in January 2025 for child labor violations in several states.

Tyson – Tyson is the second-largest meat processor after JBS. The Department of Labor recently found minors as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions at Tyson Foods facilities in Green Forest, Arkansas and Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The Department of Labor also began investigating Tyson for child labor violations at two poultry processing plants in Arkansas.

Perdue – The Department of Labor recently found children as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions in a Perdue Facility in Virginia. Tragically, while sanitizing power-driven meat-processing equipment, a child working an overnight shift was traumatically injured when his arm was caught in a machine that he was cleaning and cut to the bone in February 2022. Perdue recently agreed to pay $4 million in fines based on investigations of child labor in Virginia.

Cargill – Cargill is the world’s largest ground beef producer. The Department of Labor recently uncovered child labor violations at Cargill facilities in Dodge City, Kansas and Fiona, Texas. The investigation of Packer Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), which was contracted by Cargill and other meatpackers, found children working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning equipment such as brisket saws and “head splitters,” often on overnight shifts.

Green America is a non-profit organization representing over 250,000 individual members and 2,000 small businesses. Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) represents millions of Americans through 37 organizations that fight to protect worker rights, human rights, and child rights. CLC members include the nation’s largest union, the National Education Association, the National Consumers League, Human Rights Watch, and the Fair Labor Association, as well as numerous groups that are also concerned about the welfare of vulnerable children at risk of child labor exploitation.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

Consumers deserve slave-free chocolate: new scorecard holds brands accountable     

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829     

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) and its organization, the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), are proud to participate in the launch of the Annual Chocolate Scorecard, an initiative coordinated by Be Slavery Free, an Australian coalition campaigning against modern slavery. This campaign aims to raise awareness about child labor in chocolate production, promote ethical sourcing, and empower consumers to choose chocolate that aligns with their values.     

“Consumers deserve to enjoy their chocolate without the bitter aftertaste of exploitation. The Annual Chocolate Scorecard empowers shoppers to make informed choices and demand better from the industry,” said Reid Maki, Director of the Child Labor Coalition. “While we acknowledge progress, the persistence of child labor and lack of transparency from major companies is unacceptable. It’s time for real accountability and action—not just empty promises.”     

The Chocolate Scorecard ranks companies based on traceability and transparency across supply chains, whether they pay farmers a living income, make efforts to prevent the use of child labor, take action on climate and deforestation, and eliminate the use of harmful pesticides.           

This year’s Annual Chocolate Scorecard highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in the chocolate industry. Mars Wrigley, the maker of Snickers, Twix, and Maltesers, was recognized for its efforts to support women, which helps reduce child labor. On the other hand, Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelēz, received the “Bad Egg” award for refusing to participate, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. While some companies report a drop in child labor, NGOs warn of “cocoa washing,” where progress is exaggerated.        

“Consumers are being asked to swallow record chocolate prices and shrinking products. The least they expect is chocolate free from slavery. The Chocolate Scorecard will help shoppers make smart purchases this Easter,” said Fuzz Kitto, Co-Director at Be Slavery Free. “Chocolate companies love to talk about policies and commitments, but 25 years since they promised to eliminate child labor from the supply chain, it’s time to stop ‘cocoa washing’ and innovate more effective action.”        

Overall, this year’s findings have shown improvements in transparency across the industry, with 82% of companies sharing data on child labor, compared to 45% in 2023.  Additionally, several companies were recognized for their progress and achievements this year. Dutch Company Tony’s Chocolonely, received the “Good Egg” award for excellence and transparency in the marketplace. USA chocolate manufacturer Beyond Good, gained recognition for using beans from Madagascar and Uganda, receiving the “Good Egg” Award for smaller companies. Finally, US company Mars Inc. received the Gender Award for policies and programs to empower women.   

To learn more the official scorecard is available here.    

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About the Child Labor Coalition (CLC)     

In 1989, NCL helped launch the Child Labor Coalition (CLC) to stamp out the worst forms of child labor and to protect teen workers from health and safety hazards. Today, it is co-chaired by NCL and the American Federation of Teachers and is staffed by NCL. For more information, visit https://stopchildlabor.org/   

Advocates: Congress must step up and demand answers on attempted FTC firings 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC — Today, the National Consumers League and 24 other public interest organizations urged leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce committees to investigate President Trump’s attempt to fire half of the commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission. The groups also urged the Senate to freeze President Trump’s nomination of Mark Meador to be the newest commissioner at the FTC until Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter regain full and permanent access to their Senate-confirmed positions. 

“The president’s actions are harmful and illegal,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “The Commission’s common sense, non-partisan work of cracking down on scammers and protecting children’s privacy cannot move forward without a fully functional FTC. Attempting to remove Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter from the agency directly impedes the Commission’s ability to protect the American public.” 

Just one week before the attempted firings, the FTC reported a 25% increase in year-over-year reported dollar losses to scammers. As a critical law enforcement agency responsible for protecting consumers from financial crimes and returning money for victims, the FTC received over 6.5 million consumer reports in 2024. The agency also returned $337.3 million to consumers last year—money that would be in the pockets of scammers and other criminals if the agency did not have a functioning complement of commissioners. 

On the letter, NCL was joined by AFT, Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFREF), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Center for Democracy & Technology, Center for Digital Democracy, Center for Responsible Lending, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Check My Ads Institute, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Demand Progress, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, Free Press, Muslim Advocates, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Consumer Law Center, National Consumers League, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Public Citizen, Public Knowledge, Tech Justice Law Project, Travelers United, Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, and Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group. 

The organizations’ letter to House and Senate can be found here. 

Additional reading: 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

NCL condemns illegal firings of FTC commissioners 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

March 18, 2025: Washington, DC — Today, President Trump unlawfully terminated Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter from their positions at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Commissioner Slaughter was terminated more than five years before her term would expire; Commissioner Bedoya was terminated more than two years before his term would expire.

The Commission conducts important work to protect Americans from a range of harms, including elder fraud, children’s privacy violations, and deceptive advertising. Today’s egregious violation of the consumer protection agency’s independence jeopardizes its bipartisan mission to protect everyday Americans from marketplace harms, even those perpetrated by politically-connected individuals.

“Consumer protection work is not a partisan game,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “With consumers losing more than $150 billion to fraud each year, we need consistent and reliable watchdogs at our law enforcement agencies. The firing of dedicated public servants because they belong to the wrong political party will make the FTC’s work even harder. NCL unequivocally condemns these firings.”

Despite its hamstrung resources, the Commission does irreplaceable work to defend Americans from bad actors like scammers and monopolists. The agency returned $324 million in refunds to Americans in 2023. Every $1 of the FTC’s costs return an estimated $14 in benefits to consumers through its consumer protection and competition law enforcement efforts.

By illegally subjecting commissioners to White House control, President Trump has sent a message that common-sense consumer protection work should not continue unless it serves his political goals. Congress established independent agencies like the FTC, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Federal Elections Commission to ensure that federal oversight of critical issues is insulated from electoral, partisan, and personal games.

The Supreme Court has already ruled that a president cannot fire FTC commissioners simply for political purposes. The Supreme Court upheld this precedent as recently as 2020.

Further reading:

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL statement on mass firings of probationary federal employees 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is alarmed by the recent mass firings of probationary federal employees in the name of “government efficiency and cutting waste.” These dedicated public servants – unsung heroes – provide essential services that consumers rely on. Their dismissal threatens the well-being of millions of Americans.

“It’s easy to break things. It’s much harder to fix them. The purge of employees for political reasons will cripple the government’s ability to provide critically needed services,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg, “Firing public servants for political reasons also threatens critical services, like running clinical trials for drugs that fight disease, defending our national security, assistance to communities after hurricanes, fires, and floods, and responding to the next pandemic.”

These purges could mean that federal agencies will cease to function – then what?  Who will send the checks to veterans and older Americans who are getting social security checks, pay for highway repairs, and send checks to farmers who’ve been promised support for conservation and other purposes? Who will fix the pressing challenges our country faces every day?

NCL has long worked on protecting public health, preventing fraud, standing up for workplace safety, ensuring fair wages, providing access to social security benefits, and ensuring safe food and medications for us all.  The termination of federal workers undermines the very systems Americans depend on for core services and to protect our future. NCL urges the Trump administration to reconsider these reckless acts and prioritize the stability and integrity of our federal workforce and government services.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)   

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

 

NCL raises alarm over meat industry push to dismantle protections amid worker and environmental concerns 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is raising serious concerns over recent lobbying efforts by the Meat Institute, which is urging the Trump administration to roll back essential regulations designed to protect workers, the environment, and consumers in the meatpacking and factory farm industries. NCL’s concerns are heightened by disturbing reports of widespread hazardous child labor in the industry, including children working night shifts to clean factories with caustic chemicals.

In its letter to the White House, the Meat Institute is pushing for the elimination of critical protections such as the Clean Water Act, food safety regulations, and farmworker protections under the Packers and Stockyards Act. NCL is opposed to these efforts, warning that weakening these protections will lead to further exploitation of workers and unsafe food production practices.

“The history of the meat industry is a stark reminder of why these protections exist,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “The horrifying conditions Upton Sinclair exposed in The Jungle led to critical reforms such as the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906—laws that NCL championed that continue to safeguard public health and ensure the safety of our food supply. We cannot afford to go backward.”

The emergence of widespread child labor in the meatpacking industry, with children working in hazardous conditions, echoes the dark past that led to these crucial regulations. The Meat Institute’s push to dismantle regulations on food safety, water pollution, and worker protections will not only harm workers, but also put consumers at risk. Without these safeguards, the public could face unsafe food products, environmental damage, and the continued exploitation of vulnerable workers.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL applauds DOL’s efforts to hold corporations accountable when it comes to child labor violations

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, (202)- 207-2829

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for their recent efforts to combat unlawful child labor practices, following several significant enforcement actions in the past week. These recent actions demonstrate the Department’s commitment to holding corporations accountable for violating child labor laws and protecting vulnerable young workers from exploitation.

“NCL commends the Biden Administration’s Department of Labor for these landmark actions,” said Reid Maki NCL Director of Child Labor Advocacy. “These agreements not only hold corporations responsible for their violations but also set a clear precedent for others to follow in ensuring that children are not subjected to dangerous, illegal labor.”

This month’s actions by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division:

Cleaning Contractor Pays $400,000 in Penalties: The DOL reached an agreement with a Tennessee cleaning contractor, requiring the company to pay $400,000 in civil penalties and take proactive steps to prevent child labor violations. The company will implement new policies, including monitoring and auditing to ensure children are not employed in hazardous jobs, and provide a toll-free number for reporting concerns. Additional information here.

Perdue Farms and Staffing Agency Address Violations: The DOL reached an agreement with Perdue Farms and a temporary staffing agency, SMX, following an investigation into child labor violations at Perdue’s poultry processing facility in Accomac, Virginia. This agreement outlines measures to prevent child labor violations and ensure compliance with federal child labor laws. Additional information here.

JBS USA Takes Responsibility for Child Labor Violations: The DOL secured an agreement with JBS USA, the nation’s largest meatpacking processor, to address child labor violations in its supply chain. JBS will pay $4 million to support individuals and communities affected by illegal child labor and launch an awareness campaign to educate the public on the dangers of child labor. The funds may provide immediate assistance to affected individuals and community organizations in the form of scholarships, stipends and educational aid including assistance to community organizations to fund English as a Second Language teaching positions, literacy, job training and housing. Additional information here.

Little Caesars Franchisee Fined for Child Labor Violations: A Little Caesars franchise in Farmington Hills, Michigan, was found to have employed minors to operate dangerous equipment such as dough mixers and ovens. The company also violated child labor laws by allowing three 15-year-olds to work past 7 p.m. on school nights. The franchisee was penalized $26,000 as part of the settlement. Additional information here.

During the last two years, as hazardous child labor spread to factories and meatpacking plants across the U.S., the Wage and Hour Administration has invoked an arrange of innovative strategies to help reduce child labor and to protect vulnerable children. Those strategies have included using “hot goods” mechanisms, reformulating child labor fines, funneling resources to child labor victims.

NCL continues to advocate for stronger protections for children and workers across the country, urging lawmakers, businesses, and consumers to join in the effort to eliminate child labor in all forms.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization.  Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.  For more information, visit nclnet.org

NCL applauds proposed FTC rules on MLM and other business opportunities

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, (202) 207-2829 

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed new and updated rules to combat deceptive earnings claims in the multi-level marketing (MLM) industry and, relatedly, business coaching and investment offers. NCL supports the FTC’s rulemakings and urges the incoming Trump Administration to see the initiatives finalized. 

“Working to keep Americans from being ripped-off is a bipartisan issue,” said NCL Vice President John Breyault. “We are glad the FTC is stepping up to protect individuals from being led into debt traps with false promises. The incoming Trump Administration should finalize these rules and bring an end to these unfair and deceptive business practices.” 

When the FTC voted to begin its rulemaking on earnings claims in 2022, the rulemaking moved forward on a bipartisan, 4-0 vote. The 2022 vote to review the Business Opportunity Rule was also a bipartisan, 4-0 vote. Without finalized rules, it is harder for the FTC to secure financial compensation for victims of deceptive MLMs and other similar firms. 

NCL’s joint comments with Consumer Federation of America in response to the 2022 advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on earnings claims can be found here. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)  

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

Leading the fight against child labor in the U.S. with the Care Act

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Growing up in rural, northern New Mexico on a small family farm, being around large pieces of heavy of equipment was normal. Every Luján kid was expected to help around the house, making sure the sheep’s barn was shoveled and clearing out our acequias every springtime. For many kids across America, this upbringing is not uncommon.

Back then, my siblings and I had our parents looking out for us, making sure we were learning the lessons daily farm life had to offer us, but also protecting us when things got too chaotic or unsafe.

Family farms are built on generations of family members leaning on one another. The saying, “Many hands make light work” would be the unofficial mantra of every successful small farm or ranch.

But I know there are hundreds of thousands of kids who do not have the same experience I did on my family farm.

Every day, children are illegally working in grueling jobs in meatpacking warehouses and auto-supply factories. Child labor violations have increased nearly 300% since 2015. And more enforcement is needed to crack down on these companies for hiring children.

In the agricultural sector, however, the law allows for very young children, even preteens, to work 70 or 80 hours a week in the fields.

I am proud the National Consumers League (NCL) is supporting my legislation, the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment in Agriculture (CARE Act). Current child labor laws in agriculture allow children who are only 12 to work unlimited hours so long as they are not missing school. Throughout this country, hundreds of thousands of kids are working in extremely challenging conditions, harvesting fruits and vegetables, impairing their education, and risking their health from pesticide poisoning and dangerous farm equipment.

My CARE Act would amend the existing Fair Labor Standards Act by aligning age and hour work standards for children working in agriculture with the standards we maintain for other industries. If a 12-year-old cannot work in an air-conditioned office—and they should no —they must not be permitted to work long hours in the field. CARE would raise the age for hazardous work in agriculture from 16 to 18 —the same as other sectors. In addition, CARE would significantly increase both the civil and criminal penalties for child labor violations to create a strong deterrent against exploiting children, and it would strengthen protections for children from pesticide and chemical exposure.

The CARE Act would maintain family farms, 4-H, educational, and vocational training exemptions so children can engage in activities that encourage them to pursue agricultural careers, and it would protect their ability to work on their own family farms. Nothing is more important than protecting the health and futures of our children. Children must be allowed to develop and to learn, but too many are performing backbreaking and often hazardous labor. Throughout its long, successful history, NCL has worked diligently to protect children from exploitation in the labor market. There are still gaps in these protections, though, and I am proud to be working with NCL in making sure we close them.

Children need NCL as much today as they ever have. And they need the advocacy of the Child Labor Coalition—more than 35 national and global organizations strong— that NCL founded.

It is my pleasure to congratulate the NCL and its dedicated leadership and staff on the organization’s 125th anniversary and I look forward to continuing to work with Sally Greenberg and her team in protecting the most vulnerable among us.

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U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján has represented New Mexico in the Senate since 2021 and, prior to that, was the U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District since 2009.