Government Cracks Whip on Farmers Who Hire Children

The Obama administration is enforcing laws and issuing fines to farmers who employ children and underpay workers. Hundreds of investigators were hired and fines increased for labor and wage violators, specifically blueberry farmers, who typically hire migrant workers and children. A 1938 law still allows 12-year-olds to work on farms during the summer with no limits; however, Congress is considering whether to change that law. Meanwhile, fines for violators have increased from $1,000 to $11,000 per child. The move to crack down on farmers who violate the law has caused many farms to ban children from the fields altogether. (The New York Times). Read more.