News Release

ESA News Release: [06/19/2003]
Contact Name: Daniel Morales
Phone Number: (202) 693-4650

Labor Department Enforcing Laws to Protect the Nation’s Most Vulnerable Workers

Wage Hour Administrator Participates in LULAC Child Labor Panel on Child Labor

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Administrator Tammy D. McCutchen participated in a panel discussion titled, “Child Labor: Keep Them From Harm” during the League of United Latin American’s Citizens (LULAC) 74^th annual convention being held in Orlando, FL.

“We want to ensure that parents, employers and young Americans are aware of the resources and protections available to ensure a positive and safe work experience,” said McCutchen. “Partnering with organizations such as LULAC, we are able to get the most important information to young workers and their families.”

The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration enforces many core labor protections, including the child labor laws. The child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) were enacted to ensure that when young people work, the work does not jeopardize their health, well being or educational opportunities.

Last May, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao launched the Youth Rules! initiative. Over the last year, 21 groups such as LULAC and 13 government agencies have signed on as strategic partners in the effort to promote positive, safe work experiences for young workers. The Youth Rules! Website educates teens, parents, educators, employers, and the public on federal and state laws regarding young workers.

As a Youth Rules! partner, LULAC will work with the Wage and Hour Division in promoting and aiding the department’s outreach efforts to help reach young workers, their families and their employers, especially those in the agricultural industry.

LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the country. LULAC seeks to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.

For more information about the laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, log on to the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov, or call the Department of Labor’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE.

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