Activists: Stop Child Labor at Wal-Mart Now

Child Labor Coalition and Food and Commercial Workers Union Present Proposal to Immediately Stop the Use of Children in Hazardous Jobs at Nation's Largest Employer

February 18, 2005
Contact: Carol McKay
 or Mark Fernando
202-835-3323
media@nclnet.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Two national groups called on the nation’s largest retailer today to stop illegal child labor practices immediately. According to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), Wal-Mart could end illegal child labor, if it were interested in doing so, by implementing a simple badge system for young workers to identify them as being underage for hazardous assignments. This new identification system, combined with unannounced Labor Department inspections, would bring Wal-Mart’s illegal use of children for hazardous jobs to a rapid halt.            

The UFCW and CLC are sponsoring, at www.ufcw.org, an e-mail campaign directed at Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, asking them to abandon the sweetheart deal on child labor announced earlier this week, and to take meaningful action to end the abuse of young workers.

“If Wal-Mart and DOL were truly devoted to eliminating employment practices that harm young workers, they would have come to a more meaningful settlement than the paltry fines and new advance-notice system announced earlier this week,” said Darlene Adkins, coordinator of the CLC.

Key to the union/coalition proposal is the re-badging of young workers. Currently, adult and youth workers are issued identical employee badges.  Under the proposed system, young workers would wear a distinct badge, thus creating a constant visible reminder that certain jobs and equipment are prohibited. Compliance would require unannounced inspections to make sure that badges are properly issued, and that no manager is directing minors into illegal assignments.

The groups are presenting Scott and Chao with a demand to amend a settlement agreement that now requires the Labor Department to give Wal-Mart an unprecedented 15 days notice before any inspection. Advanced notice clearly undermines compliance, and enables managers simply to re-assign underage workers before an inspection to avoid violations.

Every year, hundreds of children are maimed and crippled, some losing arms and legs, in accidents involving balers and compactors commonly used in Wal-Mart and other retail stores to handle the disposal of boxes and similar materials. The law has long prohibited minors from operating the machinery. A Labor Department investigation brought allegations that Wal-Mart was using illegal child labor to operate the hazardous equipment in several states. To settle the case, Wal-Mart paid $135,000 and the Labor Department agreed to advance notice of inspections. 

The UFCW and Child Labor Coalition’s actions today are supported by leading worker advocates in the U.S. Congress, including Representative George Miller (D-Calif.) and  Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).  Their statements follow:

Statement of Representative George Miller (D-Calif.), Senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce

I congratulate UFCW and the Child Labor Coalition for proposing a workable, inexpensive and effective way to end the illegal use of child labor, and I would hope that both Wal-Mart and the Department of Labor will respond positively.

Statement of Senator Edward M. Kennedy on Wal-Mart’s Sweetheart Deal with Department of Labor on Child Labor Violations

The Department of Labor has shamefully abdicated its responsibility by acquiescing in Wal-Mart’s continuing violation of child labor laws and other worker protections.  Even worse, the Department conspired with Wal-Mart to conceal this sweetheart deal from the public.  The Department is there to enforce the law, not be muzzled by America’s largest employer.

About the Child Labor Coalition

The Child Labor Coalition is a group of more than 40 organizations, representing consumers, labor unions, educators, human rights and labor rights groups, child advocacy groups, and religious and women’s groups.  It was established in 1989, and is co-chaired by the National Consumers League and the American Federation of Teachers.  It’s mission is to protect working youth and to promote legislation, programs, and initiatives to end child labor exploitation in the United States and abroad.

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