Agricultural News
Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds Withdrawal of Farm Labor Rule
Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:27:55 CDT
Washington, DC - Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Labor's move to withdraw a controversial farm labor rule that would have prevented many young people from working on family farms. Chairwoman Stabenow has been a vocal opponent to the rule, urging the Department earlier this year to reconsider and solicit public input before making any new changes to the "parental exemption" of its rule related to child labor in agriculture. Today, the Department announced it would withdraw the rule.
"I grew up in Clare, was active in 4-H, and know how important family farms are in Michigan," Chairwoman Stabenow said. "I am glad the Department of Labor heard my concerns and the concerns of so many families in Michigan and decided to re-evaluate and ultimately withdraw this rule. There must be strong safeguards to protect children from dangerous situations, but there needs to be an understanding that many children in rural communities learn about safety by helping their family on the farm."
Chairwoman Stabenow urged the Labor Department, in a letter to Secretary Hilda Solis in October of last year, to take more time listening to comments from families across the country who would be impacted by the proposed rule changes. Sen. Stabenow argued that prohibiting youth from working on family farms could have far-reaching effects on youth education programs like 4-H, family farms and rural communities. Following Sen. Stabenow's request, and strong opposition from family farmers, the Department of Labor began a public comment period in February resulting in the decision to fully withdraw the rule.
According to the Department of Labor, the parental exemption allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on a farm owned or operated by their parent or such person standing in the place of a parent. Congress created the parental exemption in 1966 when it expanded protections for children employed in agriculture and prohibited their employment in jobs the Department of Labor declared particularly hazardous for children under the age of 16 to perform.
More information can be found on the Department of Labor's website by clicking here.
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