The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development have initiated a joint strategic enforcement initiative to address violations of federal and state child labor laws. This effort aims to prevent children from working in hazardous jobs, which is a priority for both agencies.
Officials in Washington D.C. and Trenton are targeting industries with histories of non-compliance where vulnerable workers are less likely to file complaints. This approach complements each department’s existing complaint-driven enforcement actions.
“At the Wage and Hour Division, our priority is protecting the most vulnerable workers in our country, our children,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “We will use strategic enforcement, innovation, and every available tool to hold any employer who tries to profit by using illegal child labor accountable.”
Since 2019, there has been an 88 percent increase nationwide in children employed illegally according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In fiscal year 2023, federal investigators identified 955 child labor violations nationwide involving 5,792 children at risk – including 502 working illegally in hazardous occupations – resulting in more than $8 million in penalties for employers found in violation. The two agencies will collaborate on investigations to proactively address violations of child labor laws in New Jersey.
“Along with our partners at the U.S. Department of Labor, we are firmly committed to protecting the Garden State’s young workers from unlawful, illegal and hazardous working conditions,” said NJDOL Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “By prioritizing the welfare of these vulnerable workers, we are also laying the groundwork for safer, more just working environments across the board.”
Since January 2020, NJDOL has assessed over 500 businesses for violations of child labor laws. Based on data collected in 2022, over 70,000 children are employed by private for-profit companies in New Jersey. The goal of this strategic enforcement initiative is to uncover violations that might otherwise go unreported.
As part of this initiative, both departments will continue providing outreach and education to employers and workers about protections for young workers. Understanding federal and state child labor laws helps employers prevent violations and keep young workers safe as they gain valuable workplace experience. Both departments remain committed to collaborating with key stakeholders to enforce compliance with federal and state laws for all young workers.
For more information on New Jersey’s child labor laws visit NJDOL’s Young Workers webpage.
