Child labor in Pennsylvania rose 43% in 2023, and Department of Labor & Industry?(L&I)?Secretary Nancy A. Walker?reminded? Pennsylvanians?Thursday of the Child Labor Act and protections afforded to workers under the age of 18.
“As businesses increasingly rely on young workers to fill job vacancies, it is crucial to remember that unlawful employment practices will not be tolerated and may result in fines, administrative violations, and, in some cases, criminal convictions,” Walker said in a statement. “As we monitor a sharp increase in child labor violations in Pennsylvania, we cannot stress how important it is to L&I to invest in protecting our young workers, ensuring their safety over profits and holding bad actors accountable.”
Enforced by L&I’s?Bureau of Labor Law Compliance ? (BLLC), Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act protects the health, safety, and welfare of employed minors by limiting employment in certain establishments and occupations, restricting the hours of work, regulating work conditions, and requiring work permits for children hired to fill a position.?
In 2023, the BLLC investigated an increase in child labor cases from 402 in 2022 to 574 in 2023. More than 5,200 complaints of alleged labor law violations - a 27% increase in investigations compared to about 4,100 conducted in 2022 were investigated by the BLLC.
Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act
Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act has distinct provisions for age categories: under 14, 14-15, and 16-17. Minors under 16 must have a written statement by the minor’s parent or guardian acknowledging the duties and hours of employment and granting permission to work. Minors are also required to obtain a work permit from their school district.
Except for minors who work in newspaper delivery,?no?minors may work more than six consecutive days. Minors must also be ? provided with?a 30-minute meal period on or before five consecutive hours of work. Full- or part-time minors must be paid at least minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour.
Children under age 14 may only work under certain circumstances, including on a family farm or in domestic service, such as babysitting,?yard work, or household chores. Employment as caddies, newspaper carriers and with special permits entertainment performers may also be permissible.
When school?is not?in session, 14 and 15-year-olds can only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. and no more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week. Different standards may apply for some occupations, including newspaper delivery, caddies, and some farm work.
When school is?in session, 14 and 15-year-olds may only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and no more than three hours a day on school days, or 18 hours per school week.?This work must not interfere with school attendance. Non-school days may have different standards.
Those ages 16 and 17 can only work between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. and no more than 10 hours a day, or 48 hours a week when school is not in session. Employers may not compel minors in this age group to work beyond 45 hours a week.?
When school?is?in session, 16 and 17-year-olds can only work between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. and no more than eight hours a day on school days, or 28 hours per school week.?This work must not interfere with school attendance.?Non-school days may have different standards.
Minors of all ages are prohibited from obtaining employment in an establishment designated as hazardous a provision under the Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations. Occupations that are hazardous or require dangerous equipment, weapons, or devices include crane operation, electrical work, excavation, roofing, woodworking, wrecking and demolition.
Members of the public who suspect violations of the Child Labor Act and other Pennsylvania labor laws can file a complaint on L&I's website.
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