Thread: House Votes to Toughen Iowa Child Labor Laws

House votes to toughen Iowa child labor laws

Posted: March 12, 2009 03:06 PM PST

DES MOINES (KWWL) - The Iowa House has voted unanimously to toughen the state's child labor laws in the wake of allegations of violations by a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville.

The House also voted Thursday to crack down on companies that don't pay promised wages.

The measure now moves on to the Senate.

The May 12 raid at the Agriprocessors Inc. plant led to the arrest of 389 illegal immigrants and scores of immigration and bank fraud charges against company officials. It also resulted in the filing of nearly 10,000 charges alleging child labor law violations at the plant.

Supporters say the tougher laws would increase possible fines from the $9 million operators of the Postville plant currently face to as much as $50 million.

Online Producer: Jason Mortved

http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=9997331

The parents of these children who are working in a meat packing plant or other dangerous places should also be charged with child abuse and child neglect.