What legal protections are available to children in cases of labor exploitation?

In Washington, there are a variety of legal protections available to children who have been exploited in labor settings. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to most US businesses and serves as a general protection for children aged 16 and under who work in any industry, including the agricultural industry. The FLSA establishes standards for the minimum wage and overtime pay, as well as prohibits any exploitation of minors in the workplace. This means that children in labor settings are entitled to the federal minimum wage, and overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a week. In addition, there are Washington state labor laws that provide additional protections for minors. The Child Labor Laws of Washington State prohibit the employment of minors in any job that is dangerous or that interferes with their health, education, or well-being. These laws also limit the number of hours they can work and the type of work they can do depending on their age. For example, workers under the age of 16 are prohibited from working in hazardous industries such as manufacturing and construction. Finally, labor exploitation is illegal in Washington. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries protects employees from exploitation by enforcing wage and hour laws, investigating wage disputes, and providing assistance to those who have been exploited. If a child is found to have been exploited, the department has the power to issue penalty wages and order employers to comply with labor laws.

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What legal protections are available to children in cases of labor exploitation?

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