The selected article explores the theme of the background behind the illegal child labor that has taken place in Packers Sanitation Services Inc (Semuels, 2023). The publication makes me feel shocked and angry due to the fact that in the 21st century, there are still companies willing to hire a child, violating the fundaments of domestic and international laws. Child labor is an inappropriate archaism that should have been abandoned a long time ago.
A specific quote that stands out for me is as follows. “It’s very likely that those families are struggling even more now that the children lost their jobs… DOL has very little follow-up … to check in on the economic stability of families whose children are found to be working in violation of labor laws” (Semuels, 2023, para. 14). Such a statement stresses the severity of the poverty issue, as well as fundamental flaws of the current economic system and the related policies. There should be no factors that can potentially force families to make their children work.
The main point of the article is that the contemporary US labor system allows hiring children, which is prohibited. This system seems to have a number of gaps to be addressed at the policy-making level. The author clearly articulates their argument, referencing credible representatives of the US Department of Labor and providing relevant statistics.
The text makes me think of the extent of the imperfection of modern economic systems and that the current approaches toward labor should be adjusted. Despite the fact that society condemns child labor, it seems that it lacks efficient instruments to deal with the issue. It is essential to develop a significant mechanism that will not allow companies even attempt to hire children.
Reference
Semuels, A. (2023). Over 100 kids were illegally employed in dangerous meat-packing plant jobs. Time, Web.