| OUTRAGEOUS! DOL Seeks To Limit/Control Child Labor On Ranches, Farms & All Ag Enterprises |
The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed new child labor regulations applicable to agriculture. The proposed rule would place new limits on the work “hired farm workers” under 16 and in some cases 18 would be allowed to do and could impact horse farms, ranches and auctions that employ young people who work with horses. The proposed new rules would not apply to young people working on farms and ranches owned or operated by their parents. Currently, young people under 16 are prohibited from working in most occupations. However, the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), which established American child labor laws, includes an exemption for agriculture that allows children under 16 to work on farms and ranches. “Congress created special exemptions for agricultural work in the FLSA because of its unique nature and the important role young people often play on farms and ranches. This proposed rule would radically restrict the work employed young people would be allowed to perform,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We are very concerned the DOL is attempting to so limit what young workers can do on farms and ranches that it would be impossible to usefully employ young people.” Specifically, the proposed rule would prohibit employed workers under 18 from working in feed lots, stockyards, livestock exchanges or auctions. It would exclude employed workers under 16 from most animal husbandry activities such as branding, breeding, dehorning, vaccinating, castrating livestock, or treating sick or injured animals including horses or working near breeding stallions. It would also prohibit workers under 16 from herding livestock from horseback or on a motorized vehicle or on foot in confined spaces such as pens or corrals and operating almost any type of tractor or power equipment. More on the proposed changes can be found on the AHC website |
Read more: http://quarterhorsenews.com/index.php/news/industry-news/10782-outrageous-dol-seeks-to-end-child-labor-on-ranches-farms-a-all-ag-enterprises.html#ixzz1bj4zPV22
