NJ, Federal Agencies Unite to Tackle Rising Child Labor Violations

Joint strategic enforcement initiative aims to address child labor violations across industries in New Jersey.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) have launched a joint strategic enforcement initiative to combat federal and state child labor law violations. With a growing number of children employed illegally, preventing these violations—particularly in dangerous jobs—has become an urgent priority for both agencies.

Officials in Washington, D.C., and Trenton are focusing their efforts on industries known for non-compliance, especially those where vulnerable workers are unlikely to file complaints. This proactive approach enhances each agency's existing complaint-driven enforcement actions, aiming to ensure a safer work environment for young employees.

“At the Wage and Hour Division, our priority is protecting the most vulnerable workers in our country, our children,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “We will use strategic enforcement, innovation, and every available tool to hold any employer who tries to profit by using illegal child labor accountable.”

Since 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor has reported an 88% increase nationwide in children working illegally. In fiscal year 2023 alone, federal investigators uncovered 955 violations affecting 5,792 children, including 502 who were found working in hazardous conditions. The violations led to over $8 million in penalties for non-compliant employers.

“Along with our partners at the U.S. Department of Labor, we are firmly committed to protecting the Garden State’s young workers from unlawful, illegal and hazardous working conditions,” said NJDOL Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “By prioritizing the welfare of these vulnerable workers, we are also laying the groundwork for safer, more just working environments across the board.”

New Jersey, which has over 70,000 children employed in private, for-profit companies according to 2022 data, has also been active in enforcing child labor laws. Since January 2020, NJDOL has cited more than 500 businesses for child labor violations. The new strategic enforcement initiative is designed to identify additional violations that often go unreported.

In addition to enforcement actions, both agencies will continue providing outreach and education to employers and workers about the protections available for young employees. This educational component aims to help employers understand their responsibilities under federal and state child labor laws, ensuring young workers are kept safe as they gain valuable experience in the workforce.

The joint initiative highlights both departments' commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to uphold child labor laws and safeguard young workers in New Jersey. Businesses are urged to familiarize themselves with child labor regulations to avoid penalties and protect their young employees.

For more information on New Jersey's child labor laws, visit the NJDOL’s Young Workers webpage.