Iowa parents and workers rally in Des Moines against bills they say would relax child labor laws
A crowd gathered at the Statehouse on Saturday to protest two bills they say would relax child labor laws in Iowa.
"Our kids are not for sale," said Al Womble, Political Director for Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO.
During the rally, Womble spoke out against and . Womble said the bills would weaken child labor laws and endanger children.
"These children are going to be working in things like meat packing plants and mining and having 16-year-olds work at bars and restaurants serving alcohol," Womble said. "We are hoping to raise awareness about that and hope that other people say, 'You know what, this is inappropriate and it is not what's best for Iowa children.'"
Republican State Rep. Dave Deyoe manages House File 647. He said the current bill will update child labor laws that are outdated, some of which concern street occupations such as shining shoes and selling newspapers.
"I'm a little perplexed at some of the arguments, Rep. Deyoe said about the bill's opponents, "A lot of the sections of this part of the code were written beginning in 1906, I believe. Some of it was written in the 30s."
Rep. Deyoe said the bill does not allow teenagers to make drinks, but they will be able to serve them.
"We are working on an amendment right now to make it clear it would only be for in a restaurant. They can bring the drinks from the bar to the tables," Deyoe said.
As for working in meat packing plants, Deyoe said the bill allows teenagers to work in an office, not the production line.
"There are restrictions in the current law, and those restrictions are still the same in dangerous occupations," Deyoe said.