Statement by Reps. Kildee, Scholten on New Reports of Illegal Child Labor

WASHINGTON— Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03), co-chairs of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force, today issued the following statement after new reporting in the New York Times detailed systemic exploitation of children in the U.S. roofing industry:

“The stories in this report are heartbreaking and unacceptable. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to children suffering terrible injuries, or being killed, in dangerous jobs.

“The current enforcement of our child labor laws, and penalties for breaking those laws, are failing to deter bad actors. Congress must do more to combat illegal child labor and pass new legislation to crack down on violations and hold employers accountable.”