Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has criticized the Biden administration for its inaction in addressing the alarming increase in child labor exploitation. Cassidy expressed his concerns about the Department of Labor's failure to tackle the surge in minors working in violation of federal labor laws, highlighting an 88 percent increase since 2019 and a 50 percent rise since 2022.

Dr. Cassidy pointed out the grave consequences of this exploitation, including reports of children being subjected to dangerous and illegal labor practices that have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. He criticized the Department of Labor for allegedly ignoring warnings of child labor violations and failing to respond adequately to complaints, citing operational issues that hindered their ability to investigate such cases promptly.

In a statement, Senator Cassidy emphasized the urgency of addressing the exploitation of unaccompanied migrant children, stating, "This years-long increase in unaccompanied migrant children crossing the southern border under the Biden administration, and the negative incentive for these children to expose themselves to dangerous working conditions is an intolerable tragedy for which we must find an immediate and lasting solution."

Moreover, Cassidy raised concerns about the Office of Refugee Resettlement's weakened oversight of unaccompanied children, leading to increased risks of exploitation by adult sponsors. He highlighted the administration's failure to reform vetting and placement procedures, which have left children vulnerable to trafficking and harmful work environments.

Senator Cassidy is demanding accountability from the Department of Labor and the Office of Refugee Resettlement regarding their policies and practices to safeguard unaccompanied children from exploitation. He called for improved coordination between agencies and urged for immediate action to address the escalating issue of child labor violations.

In his efforts to combat this issue, Cassidy previously launched an investigation into child labor violations, including cases involving underage workers at companies like Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. He has also sought information from meat producers and chemical companies involved in illegal child labor practices.

The Senator's proactive stance underscores the critical need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling child labor exploitation and ensuring the protection of vulnerable children.