Postville, Ia. (Agriprocessors Inc.) drives lawmakers to propose tougher child labor law

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090303/NEWS/90303059/-1/NEWS04

JASON CLAYWORTH • March 3, 2009

People or owners of businesses that violate Iowa’s child labor laws would face tougher penalties under a proposal lawmakers pushed forward Tuesday.

The proposal, House Study Bill 63, is largely the result of last year’s immigration raid in Postville where 389 suspected illegal immigrants working at Agriprocessors Inc., a kosher meatpacking plant, were detained.

Sholom Rubashkin, a former executive of the plant, faces 97 federal charges, in addition to state-level allegations that the company violated child labor laws.

Penalties for violations to Iowa’s child labor laws would increase as the severity rises from being a simple misdemeanor to a serious misdemeanor under the bill. That means that violators would face up to a year in jail and up to $1,875 in fines for each violation.

“Our goal for this bill is to prevent another Postville and hold unscrupulous employers accountable,” said Rep. Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids who led discussion on the bill during today’s Labor Committee meeting.

FULL story at link.

[MadMaddie]

1. This is insane we are talking about child labor laws in 2009

WTF?

There should be no children working period.