The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-05-02
Child-Labor Situation
Grows Serious In us.
PartTime Employment of School Boys, Girls Presents
Difficult Problem for Authorities; Health Hazard

should not exceed 4 on a school day
nor when school Is not in session.
In no case should the combined
hours Of school and work exceed 9
q day, and should reach 8 hours for
occasional days only. Weekly hours
OF work should be held to not more
than 20 during weeks when school
Is in session and to not more than
4S hours otherwise. Evening employ
ment should not extend beyond
10 p. m. and in all cases, students
should have at least 8 consecutive
night hours or the job.
For students IA and 15-years of
age, work should be limited to 3
hours on school days and to 8 other
wise, and in no case should it in
terfere with their attending school
for a full day Of class work and
study. Combined hours OF work and
school should not exceed 8 a day.
When school is in session these stu
dents should not work more than
10 hours a week, and otherwise not
more than 40. Youngsters in this
age group should not be employed
after Z p. m. or before z a. m.
For all student workers one day Of
rest In should be allowed. Adequate
provision should be made for meal
and rest periods, and for sanitary
facilities. Good supervision and
safety measures should be provided
IN all instances. because these young
workers are not as careful as the
older ones.
In no case should boy or girl
be employed on a hazardous Job.
Both state and federal laws place
safeguards around youth in this re-
spect. but beyond the limit Of the
law, protection Is needed. AS a guide
the Children's Bureau is issuing a
series Of leaflets entitled Which Jobs
for Young Workers. These give ad-
Visory standards for war industries.
They can be had for the asking.
All laws, those dealing both with
child labor and with liquor control.
that prohibit the employment of
minors around places where they
are subject to immoral influences,
should be vigorously upheld. Viola
tions in this respect. incidentally, are
not uncommon, for many very young
boys and girls are working around
taverns. and luke joints.
In all instances federal and state
ehiid-labor laws should be observed
to the letter, not only as to their
age restrictions and their prohibition
Of night work. but also as to their
age certifieation requirements. II
Is not enough to take Johnny's word
that no is 10. nor the written evil
dence that he may bring. What is
needed Is q properly issued work
permit II for no other reason the
employer should always demand
such permits or certificates for his
own protection against hiring un-
der age children unintentionnlIy.
II the standards SET forth here
we're met, ne work experience these
boys and girls are having now would
likely have some value 10 them IN
terms OF their future, But. II these
safeguards are 10 be met. they must
be understood and supported By oil
hF"tFs ~ VIZ community hNhNffb
With young people-sehool ofiieials,
labor groups. parent teacher 0rgani-
nations. business representatives. and
other civic organizations. Three.
way action Is needed by employers,
schools. and the U. q. Employment
Service 10 put these common sense
recommendations into effect. The
responsibility Win fail particularly
heavily upon employers, for as long
ss they have The Jobs 10 give out,
boys and girls Will be apt 70 take
them on their terms.
Planning Etll b. needed. and
eoliDselllng services for those about
~ taks jobs. School schedules and
work hours may have 20 be adjusted,
but that can be done for the stakes
are high. Failure 70 face this prob
lem " young workers Is cutting into
our future reserves Of trained ard
healthy men and women. but no
less important. n IL losing 10 the
common effort the best work OF
young people willing and eager 10 do
their part.
And. any argument that the man
power situation does not permit al.