The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-07-30
CHILD LABOR
Law PROVISIONS
Are OUTLINED

Henry A. Yeager, inspector in
charge of Montana's division of labor
said today many employers are EN-
ploying women and children in lieu
Of adult manpower. In order that the
public and particularly employers may
familiarize themselves ON Montana s
| labor laws, the following provisions
are once again called to their atten-
ton in connection with the employ
ment of children:
No child under the age of IA years
may be employed at any occupation
while the public schools are in session
unless such child has successfully
completed the eighth grade or his
wages are necessary to help sustain
his family.
No child under the age of 16 years
may be employed to render or per-
form any service or labor, in, on, or
about any mine, mill, smelter, work
shop, factory, steam, electric, hy-
draulic, or compassionate railroad, or
passenger or freight elevator, or in
any similar occupation or industry in
which machinery is operated, or for
any telephone, telegraph or messen-
ger company The law makes no
provisions as to the physique, ability
or other characteristics of the child
it is the age of the child that deter
mines whether or not he may be en-
ployed at certain occupations.
Mr. Yeager said that his division
would not construe that the employ
ment of children under the age of 16
years on farms would be in violation
of the states child labor laws since
agriculture is not one of the prohib-
tied ndustries-neither, under normal
circumstances would the agricultural
industry be included in the factory
or workshop fications-however
each such border line case would be
determined on the merits depending
on the circumstances of the employ
ment. Yeager said that among other
industries garages, machine, carpen-
ter and general repair shops, can
neries, creameries or any other in
QuSIIy tndI COulu DC CIdoOlllGu DIS
either a factory or a workshop, and
if machinery is operated therein, no
child under the age of 16 years could
be legally employed in, on or about
the establishment In addition age
certificates must be obtained from
the State Division of Labor, State
Capitol Building, Helena, Montana,
for any minor employed in any of
the prohibited occupations showing
the children employed therein to be
at least 16 years of age.
Age certificates should be obtained
for all minors employed up to IS years
of age, regardless of the occupation
The age certificate is primarily for
the employers protection that is, the
certificate acts as a work permit and
it also proves the age of the minor
to the employer so that he will not
employ a child under age
for the particular occupation or job
to be done. The age certificates as
issued from the State Division of
Labor also acts as proof of age under
IHe CHuu ldDOI pfOFiSlOuS VI LHe cd
eral Fair Labor Standards Act Fed
eral Wage-Hour Law. Severe pen
alties are provided for the violation
of these child labor laws, such pen
alties will apply for the employment |
Of a child under 16 years of age in |
one of the prohibited occupations and |
in addition for failure to have an age |
certification on file for each minor |
employed. The State Division of La
Dor through county attorneys and the |
attorney generals office shall con-
tinue to prosecute such violators if on |
it is determined a viola
ton has occurred. In addition the at |
tention of the Children's Bureau of |
the U. S. Department of Labor will |
be called if the case involves a vio-
Iation of federal child labor regula-
lions, as provided by the divisions
CONTINUED on Page Three)