Child Labor Cases Rise as DOL Vows Historic Enforcement Push

A task force launched to curb child labor exploitation has helped uncover more than 4,000 kids working in illegal conditions, according to senior US Labor Department officials.

Since last October, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division has concluded 765 cases involving 4,474 children employed in violation of federal child labor laws, resulting in fines of more than $6.6 million, the officials said on a press call Wednesday.

The effort represents the agency’s most aggressive enforcement stance in its history, they said.

The cases represent a 44% increase in kids working beyond permissible hours or in conditions banned for minors compared ...