1 00:00:19,105 --> 00:00:20,934 Hello, everyone, and welcome to the case for 2 00:00:20,934 --> 00:00:23,162 safety podcast. I'm your host Scott Fowler. 3 00:00:24,054 --> 00:00:25,652 Appreciate being with us today where we're gonna 4 00:00:25,652 --> 00:00:28,369 be discussing a topic that's been getting renewed 5 00:00:28,369 --> 00:00:30,207 attention in recent months as it continues to 6 00:00:30,207 --> 00:00:31,885 be a problem in the Us and around 7 00:00:31,885 --> 00:00:34,697 the world. And that is exploit child labor. 8 00:00:34,857 --> 00:00:37,014 You're gonna be, talking about, it, the the 9 00:00:37,014 --> 00:00:37,893 scope of the problem, 10 00:00:38,372 --> 00:00:41,902 the working conditions, children encounter, in different environments. 11 00:00:42,141 --> 00:00:44,616 And most importantly, you know, what can be 12 00:00:44,616 --> 00:00:46,053 done about it? You know, What can be 13 00:00:46,053 --> 00:00:48,527 done to put an end to to this 14 00:00:48,527 --> 00:00:51,568 practice? And Joining me for this conversation. I'm 15 00:00:51,568 --> 00:00:54,113 glad to welcome Bob Drain and Barney Burns. 16 00:00:54,669 --> 00:00:57,691 Bob is an adjunct professor and senior environmental 17 00:00:57,691 --> 00:00:59,956 health safety officer at Liberty University, 18 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:03,195 and Barney is a certified safety professional with 19 00:01:03,195 --> 00:01:05,422 more than 40 years of experience. Bob Barney 20 00:01:05,422 --> 00:01:06,616 thank you both so much for being here. 21 00:01:07,188 --> 00:01:08,781 Sure, Scott. Thank you. 22 00:01:09,418 --> 00:01:09,577 Now, 23 00:01:10,453 --> 00:01:12,705 part of this conversation stems from a recent 24 00:01:13,001 --> 00:01:14,377 position statement that As 25 00:01:14,753 --> 00:01:17,959 issued about exploit child labor, and what can 26 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:19,236 be done about it. So I thought we 27 00:01:19,236 --> 00:01:20,833 get a start from there. And Bob, I 28 00:01:20,833 --> 00:01:23,227 wonder if you kinda talk through that position 29 00:01:23,227 --> 00:01:26,114 say y, As piece stance on this issue. 30 00:01:27,231 --> 00:01:28,427 So first of all, 31 00:01:29,384 --> 00:01:32,494 we the As American Society of safety professionals. 32 00:01:32,733 --> 00:01:34,976 We... We are committed to the protection of 33 00:01:34,976 --> 00:01:37,356 people and we have been since 19 11. 34 00:01:38,229 --> 00:01:40,529 And you know, we consider ourselves to be 35 00:01:40,529 --> 00:01:43,886 the guardians, quote, quote, up workplace safety. 36 00:01:44,685 --> 00:01:47,420 Our ultimate goal is to have all workers 37 00:01:47,559 --> 00:01:50,672 return hold to their loved ones, safe healthy 38 00:01:50,672 --> 00:01:51,550 and well. Right? 39 00:01:52,524 --> 00:01:54,223 Our vision, As 40 00:01:54,762 --> 00:01:57,339 vision is safety health and well being 41 00:01:57,958 --> 00:02:00,755 that they are inherent rights of every worker. 42 00:02:00,995 --> 00:02:01,495 And 43 00:02:01,969 --> 00:02:04,922 This includes child Labor as well. 44 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,396 So our position, the 45 00:02:08,514 --> 00:02:09,652 Position on exploit 46 00:02:10,764 --> 00:02:11,483 child labor. 47 00:02:12,682 --> 00:02:15,878 We oppose all forms of exploit child labor 48 00:02:15,878 --> 00:02:16,378 practices. 49 00:02:17,237 --> 00:02:20,228 We call on government entities non government 50 00:02:20,765 --> 00:02:22,143 organizations to combat 51 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:23,877 exploit child labor. 52 00:02:24,436 --> 00:02:26,431 In the Us and even around the world. 53 00:02:27,403 --> 00:02:28,759 As part of the position, 54 00:02:29,397 --> 00:02:31,412 we support regulation and 55 00:02:32,109 --> 00:02:33,146 legislation in the Us, 56 00:02:33,784 --> 00:02:36,336 and even in other countries that prohibits and 57 00:02:36,336 --> 00:02:37,489 prevent 6 pro, 58 00:02:37,867 --> 00:02:38,586 child labor, 59 00:02:39,863 --> 00:02:43,854 specific language in applicable global standards that oppose 60 00:02:43,854 --> 00:02:44,753 and facilitate 61 00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:47,692 prevention of exploit child labor, 62 00:02:48,646 --> 00:02:48,964 and, 63 00:02:49,599 --> 00:02:51,689 of course, actions by our members 64 00:02:52,143 --> 00:02:54,868 and occupational safety and health professionals 65 00:02:55,495 --> 00:02:58,353 On a global basis to establish an implement, 66 00:02:58,908 --> 00:02:59,408 programs 67 00:02:59,781 --> 00:03:00,281 prohibit 68 00:03:00,654 --> 00:03:01,154 exploit 69 00:03:01,607 --> 00:03:02,242 child labor. 70 00:03:03,448 --> 00:03:03,948 So 71 00:03:04,401 --> 00:03:07,976 1 note though that's that's very important to 72 00:03:07,976 --> 00:03:09,668 understand is that we don't oppose 73 00:03:09,979 --> 00:03:10,479 reasonable 74 00:03:10,937 --> 00:03:12,852 approaches to young people working. 75 00:03:13,810 --> 00:03:16,465 We realize that there are benefits and responsibilities 76 00:03:16,683 --> 00:03:17,821 for working in 77 00:03:18,774 --> 00:03:21,171 we'll talk a little bit about that here 78 00:03:21,171 --> 00:03:21,651 shortly. 79 00:03:22,370 --> 00:03:24,368 So our position is not meant to take 80 00:03:24,368 --> 00:03:27,985 a stand against young people working appropriate hours 81 00:03:28,377 --> 00:03:30,047 or in settings such as, 82 00:03:30,921 --> 00:03:32,352 for example, the family part. 83 00:03:33,226 --> 00:03:33,726 So 84 00:03:34,260 --> 00:03:37,065 as our position statement says, we 85 00:03:37,614 --> 00:03:41,517 or concerns specifically with exploit child labor practices, 86 00:03:41,916 --> 00:03:44,328 and these include things like children working 87 00:03:44,798 --> 00:03:48,078 full time or accumulation of weekly hours that 88 00:03:48,134 --> 00:03:50,915 interfere with the child's ability to attend school 89 00:03:50,915 --> 00:03:51,653 or even 90 00:03:52,027 --> 00:03:52,527 educational 91 00:03:53,218 --> 00:03:53,695 opportunities? 92 00:03:54,982 --> 00:03:58,565 To expose them to long or hard physical 93 00:03:58,565 --> 00:03:59,065 labor 94 00:03:59,441 --> 00:04:02,228 or hazardous toxic working conditions. 95 00:04:03,119 --> 00:04:05,753 And very young children. We define very young 96 00:04:05,753 --> 00:04:07,749 children as being under the age of 12. 97 00:04:08,547 --> 00:04:10,942 Our work activities that do not allow the 98 00:04:10,942 --> 00:04:12,140 child to grow up. 99 00:04:12,792 --> 00:04:14,465 To be healthy and productive. 100 00:04:15,341 --> 00:04:16,774 Thank you for that. And that really leaves 101 00:04:16,774 --> 00:04:19,106 a good foundation for the rest of our 102 00:04:19,164 --> 00:04:21,489 conversation and transitions well into my next question, 103 00:04:21,648 --> 00:04:23,083 You you touched on it a little bit 104 00:04:23,083 --> 00:04:24,997 there. I thought we could get into the 105 00:04:24,997 --> 00:04:25,497 terminology, 106 00:04:26,114 --> 00:04:28,107 you gave a couple of points there. But 107 00:04:28,107 --> 00:04:30,753 when we say exploit child labor, you know, 108 00:04:30,912 --> 00:04:32,502 what exactly does that mean? And, you know, 109 00:04:32,582 --> 00:04:34,809 how how big a problem is this both 110 00:04:34,809 --> 00:04:36,399 in the Us and around the world? 111 00:04:37,035 --> 00:04:38,808 Yeah. Good question. So 112 00:04:39,199 --> 00:04:42,316 First, let's let's start out with what the 113 00:04:42,316 --> 00:04:42,816 the 114 00:04:43,195 --> 00:04:45,352 definition of exploit tate child labor. 115 00:04:46,152 --> 00:04:47,750 According to world vision, 116 00:04:48,802 --> 00:04:50,179 Child labor is the 117 00:04:50,556 --> 00:04:52,709 exploitation of children who are deprived of their 118 00:04:52,709 --> 00:04:53,209 childhood 119 00:04:53,904 --> 00:04:56,456 by work that prevents them from attending school, 120 00:04:57,109 --> 00:04:59,746 causes some type of physical, mental or social 121 00:04:59,746 --> 00:05:00,386 harm to do. 122 00:05:01,984 --> 00:05:03,123 According to the Il, 123 00:05:03,662 --> 00:05:05,281 the international labor 124 00:05:05,740 --> 00:05:07,849 organization, It's worked that's dangerous 125 00:05:08,782 --> 00:05:11,806 or provides unhealthy conditions that could result in 126 00:05:11,806 --> 00:05:14,751 a child being killed injured or made ill 127 00:05:14,751 --> 00:05:15,649 as a consequence 128 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:19,230 a poor safety and health standards or working 129 00:05:19,230 --> 00:05:19,730 arrangements. 130 00:05:20,426 --> 00:05:20,745 Now, 131 00:05:21,543 --> 00:05:23,957 you said what are some statistics 132 00:05:24,335 --> 00:05:25,451 about child labor? 133 00:05:26,502 --> 00:05:28,570 In the fiscal year 20 23, 134 00:05:28,968 --> 00:05:31,434 the Us department of labor found a child 135 00:05:31,434 --> 00:05:32,468 labor violations, 136 00:05:33,278 --> 00:05:35,746 were evident in 955 137 00:05:35,746 --> 00:05:40,282 cases, and that included 5792 138 00:05:40,282 --> 00:05:40,600 children. 139 00:05:41,411 --> 00:05:43,556 And they issued over 8000000 140 00:05:43,556 --> 00:05:44,295 in penalties. 141 00:05:45,861 --> 00:05:48,586 From a global standpoint, the Uni nsf 142 00:05:49,198 --> 00:05:49,357 organization, 143 00:05:50,169 --> 00:05:50,669 roughly, 144 00:05:51,209 --> 00:05:52,810 a hundred and 60000000 145 00:05:52,810 --> 00:05:55,930 children were subjected to child labor at the 146 00:05:55,930 --> 00:05:57,050 beginning of 20 20. 147 00:05:57,703 --> 00:05:58,917 And 9000000 148 00:05:59,212 --> 00:06:01,221 additional children were at risk 149 00:06:01,675 --> 00:06:03,843 due to the impact of Covid 19 150 00:06:04,455 --> 00:06:05,726 in the year 20 20. 151 00:06:06,458 --> 00:06:08,853 This accounts for nearly 1 and 10 and 152 00:06:08,853 --> 00:06:09,353 children 153 00:06:10,289 --> 00:06:10,608 worldwide. 154 00:06:11,566 --> 00:06:13,822 Almost half of them are engaged in hazardous 155 00:06:13,881 --> 00:06:14,334 work 156 00:06:14,692 --> 00:06:17,157 that directly end ind their health and develop. 157 00:06:17,872 --> 00:06:20,280 So you could see Scott that it's crucial 158 00:06:20,416 --> 00:06:23,516 to address this problem and protect children's rights. 159 00:06:25,204 --> 00:06:27,595 Absolutely. And you mentioned hazards there. I wonder, 160 00:06:28,152 --> 00:06:30,144 Barney, if we could get into the more 161 00:06:30,144 --> 00:06:30,782 specifically. I know, 162 00:06:31,672 --> 00:06:33,813 Bob gave a couple examples earlier, but just 163 00:06:33,813 --> 00:06:36,351 some of the the the conditions, you know, 164 00:06:36,509 --> 00:06:39,047 the environments that these children are working in, 165 00:06:39,538 --> 00:06:41,925 the the hazards they're facing, you know, as 166 00:06:41,925 --> 00:06:43,437 well as you know is this is this 167 00:06:43,437 --> 00:06:45,108 more common in certain industries or are there 168 00:06:45,108 --> 00:06:47,097 are certain types of work that are more 169 00:06:47,097 --> 00:06:50,695 likely to be you know, practicing exploit child 170 00:06:50,695 --> 00:06:51,970 labor, the... Those kind of things. 171 00:06:52,766 --> 00:06:53,664 Right. So 172 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,048 in the United States, that 1 of the 173 00:06:56,048 --> 00:06:58,282 biggest concerns has to do with migrant and 174 00:06:58,282 --> 00:06:58,782 labor 175 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:00,857 with the migrant workers 176 00:07:01,314 --> 00:07:03,091 and the the the family 177 00:07:03,643 --> 00:07:05,637 goes and picks the fruits and vegetables for 178 00:07:05,637 --> 00:07:05,876 us. 179 00:07:07,152 --> 00:07:10,501 Sometimes the conditions about sanitary, it it's oftentimes 180 00:07:10,501 --> 00:07:12,988 hot, A lot of exposure, heat stress. Those 181 00:07:12,988 --> 00:07:13,627 type of things. 182 00:07:14,265 --> 00:07:16,681 Also in in a lot of industries 183 00:07:17,219 --> 00:07:18,916 where they clean machinery 184 00:07:19,294 --> 00:07:21,345 at night or, like, a third shift or 185 00:07:21,384 --> 00:07:22,896 for teenagers working on on there. 186 00:07:23,691 --> 00:07:25,225 I had an example of 187 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:27,850 an Eagle scout that was 188 00:07:28,718 --> 00:07:31,582 summer working in a wood products facility, 189 00:07:32,298 --> 00:07:34,287 and he slipped and he fell into a 190 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:36,355 wood, and, you know, he was gone within 191 00:07:36,355 --> 00:07:37,071 a matter seconds. 192 00:07:37,644 --> 00:07:39,640 So that... That's domestically the the type of 193 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:41,556 work that we want to avoid for for 194 00:07:41,556 --> 00:07:41,955 children. 195 00:07:43,152 --> 00:07:45,547 Internationally, it it it runs the full gamut 196 00:07:45,547 --> 00:07:46,505 of all types of work. 197 00:07:47,159 --> 00:07:49,633 1 that I... I'm familiar with by doing 198 00:07:49,633 --> 00:07:50,133 reading 199 00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:54,022 is cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of 200 00:07:54,102 --> 00:07:54,341 Congo. 201 00:07:55,393 --> 00:07:59,164 Basically, they have official mining sites that use 202 00:07:59,382 --> 00:08:01,137 modern machinery and those type of things, 203 00:08:01,776 --> 00:08:04,179 but a big majority of the cobalt mind 204 00:08:04,179 --> 00:08:05,236 is done with artisan 205 00:08:05,611 --> 00:08:06,588 mining practices 206 00:08:07,043 --> 00:08:07,600 to basically, 207 00:08:08,237 --> 00:08:09,192 fathers and sons, 208 00:08:10,002 --> 00:08:13,099 go into a a hill of rocks, and 209 00:08:13,099 --> 00:08:15,323 they dig in unsupported trenches. 210 00:08:16,038 --> 00:08:17,920 They enter as a confined space 211 00:08:18,277 --> 00:08:20,982 without adequate precautions such as fans and those 212 00:08:20,982 --> 00:08:22,334 type of things, rescue equipment. 213 00:08:22,891 --> 00:08:24,823 And then also the the young girls 214 00:08:25,213 --> 00:08:27,441 They clean rocks in a pond or a 215 00:08:27,441 --> 00:08:29,271 lake and air exposed to some of the 216 00:08:29,271 --> 00:08:33,033 radioactive materials from from cleaning the the cobalt 217 00:08:33,249 --> 00:08:33,749 minerals 218 00:08:34,778 --> 00:08:36,613 those type of things. So it runs the 219 00:08:36,613 --> 00:08:39,006 whole gamut both domestically and internationally. 220 00:08:39,725 --> 00:08:41,695 As p is interested in 221 00:08:42,131 --> 00:08:43,187 dealing with both 222 00:08:43,879 --> 00:08:46,023 internationally as well as domestically. They're try to 223 00:08:46,023 --> 00:08:47,691 make it as safe as possible for children. 224 00:08:48,644 --> 00:08:50,487 At just a side note like, back in 225 00:08:50,487 --> 00:08:52,716 the 19 thirties, 19 twenties and thirties in 226 00:08:52,876 --> 00:08:53,911 Illinois and New York, 227 00:08:54,548 --> 00:08:56,459 young women, teenage girls, 228 00:08:57,175 --> 00:08:58,392 early 20 girls 229 00:08:58,702 --> 00:09:01,794 were hard to paint valves for for aircraft, 230 00:09:02,349 --> 00:09:03,617 and they used radiant paint, 231 00:09:04,251 --> 00:09:06,020 and the the employers 232 00:09:06,329 --> 00:09:08,482 failed to notify the girls of the potential 233 00:09:08,482 --> 00:09:10,316 hazards are working with radioactive paints. 234 00:09:10,954 --> 00:09:12,709 Those type of things that lu and paint. 235 00:09:13,028 --> 00:09:13,687 The radioactive 236 00:09:14,064 --> 00:09:16,229 materials made the paint lu and so they 237 00:09:16,229 --> 00:09:17,814 could see the gauge in dials at night. 238 00:09:18,448 --> 00:09:21,167 And that's what caused me to 239 00:09:21,539 --> 00:09:23,100 become familiar with with this 240 00:09:24,012 --> 00:09:24,512 issue 241 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:26,155 throughout the world. 242 00:09:27,424 --> 00:09:30,043 Looking at what's ahead, what needs to happen. 243 00:09:30,281 --> 00:09:32,922 What steps can be taken to stop this 244 00:09:32,922 --> 00:09:35,076 kind of practice to make sure the in 245 00:09:35,076 --> 00:09:37,230 the Us and throughout the world children aren't 246 00:09:37,230 --> 00:09:38,906 exploited for their labor. 247 00:09:39,879 --> 00:09:42,193 Well, if you look at some of the 248 00:09:42,193 --> 00:09:42,693 global 249 00:09:43,072 --> 00:09:44,668 organizations and what they recommend. 250 00:09:45,386 --> 00:09:48,180 Our working in partnerships like Barney was talking 251 00:09:48,180 --> 00:09:48,340 about, 252 00:09:49,231 --> 00:09:51,563 with other employers to make sure that 253 00:09:52,018 --> 00:09:54,009 workplaces are safe for children, 254 00:09:55,123 --> 00:09:58,159 not hiring children to work in factories, that's 255 00:09:58,159 --> 00:10:00,458 been well controlled over the the last, 256 00:10:01,330 --> 00:10:04,526 probably hundred years or so, but still 257 00:10:04,995 --> 00:10:07,475 It's alarming though, with the statistics that I 258 00:10:07,475 --> 00:10:08,855 gave you so, the As, 259 00:10:09,555 --> 00:10:12,570 our next steps to address exploit child labor 260 00:10:12,689 --> 00:10:15,263 and that you may wanna consider in your 261 00:10:15,322 --> 00:10:15,801 chapter, 262 00:10:17,077 --> 00:10:19,470 the society needs to recruit authors. 263 00:10:19,964 --> 00:10:22,835 First of all, to write articles and materials 264 00:10:22,835 --> 00:10:25,467 to help educate our membership, so we need 265 00:10:25,467 --> 00:10:25,707 that. 266 00:10:26,823 --> 00:10:29,557 We need to advocate for the prohibition 267 00:10:29,869 --> 00:10:31,963 of exploited child labor practices 268 00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:35,766 on a global standard through our different standards 269 00:10:35,766 --> 00:10:36,505 that we 270 00:10:37,853 --> 00:10:38,331 Ans, 271 00:10:38,730 --> 00:10:39,469 our As 272 00:10:39,845 --> 00:10:41,996 standards, Iso 45000 273 00:10:41,996 --> 00:10:43,908 1PZ 274 00:10:43,908 --> 00:10:46,138 10. Those are some standards that we can 275 00:10:46,138 --> 00:10:49,747 use to help advocate for the prohibition of 276 00:10:49,747 --> 00:10:51,265 exploited child labor. 277 00:10:51,984 --> 00:10:53,283 Also recommend 278 00:10:54,142 --> 00:10:56,480 prohibit exploit child labor practices 279 00:10:57,273 --> 00:10:58,252 that specifically 280 00:10:58,630 --> 00:10:59,928 include third party 281 00:11:00,466 --> 00:11:03,281 certifying systems like a Ans As 282 00:11:03,978 --> 00:11:04,797 and iso. 283 00:11:05,748 --> 00:11:07,362 Host and conduct complimentary 284 00:11:07,737 --> 00:11:09,487 webinars on the issue for 285 00:11:10,282 --> 00:11:12,112 Members and other interested people. 286 00:11:12,844 --> 00:11:13,643 And then finally, 287 00:11:14,122 --> 00:11:18,218 use As p's consultative status with the United 288 00:11:18,277 --> 00:11:19,816 nations to raise 289 00:11:20,289 --> 00:11:23,900 or support enhancement of efforts to increase awareness 290 00:11:24,358 --> 00:11:25,315 on this issue. 291 00:11:26,272 --> 00:11:29,074 When we look at the United Nations and 292 00:11:29,074 --> 00:11:29,574 their 293 00:11:30,029 --> 00:11:30,267 recommendations, 294 00:11:30,904 --> 00:11:34,029 they say to help seek viable alternatives 295 00:11:34,498 --> 00:11:37,439 and access to adequate services for children and 296 00:11:37,439 --> 00:11:38,870 their families globally. 297 00:11:39,506 --> 00:11:41,334 I like some of the things that the 298 00:11:41,493 --> 00:11:43,503 United Nations wants to do 299 00:11:43,813 --> 00:11:45,805 with exploit tate child labor. 300 00:11:46,602 --> 00:11:48,754 Barney, any any steps you would encourage folks 301 00:11:48,754 --> 00:11:50,347 out there to to take to try to, 302 00:11:50,507 --> 00:11:52,594 you know, bring an end to this practice? 303 00:11:53,232 --> 00:11:54,348 Yeah. As as we... 304 00:11:55,145 --> 00:11:57,298 In our day to day e, lies, we 305 00:11:57,298 --> 00:11:59,052 watch news and those type of things we 306 00:11:59,052 --> 00:11:59,552 see 307 00:12:00,023 --> 00:12:02,335 child labor being exploited that it would be 308 00:12:02,335 --> 00:12:04,568 a good to to raise the awareness and 309 00:12:04,568 --> 00:12:06,242 share it with the Ss, so we can 310 00:12:06,242 --> 00:12:08,076 put it in the, like, professional safety magazine. 311 00:12:08,728 --> 00:12:10,322 In as well as writing articles. 312 00:12:11,198 --> 00:12:12,712 As he professionals, 313 00:12:13,828 --> 00:12:16,160 Professionals are very much involved in the Es 314 00:12:17,095 --> 00:12:18,130 solutions around the world, 315 00:12:19,102 --> 00:12:21,573 encourage you to to talk to your Es 316 00:12:21,573 --> 00:12:23,885 g professionals in your company and 317 00:12:25,081 --> 00:12:27,017 make sure this supply chain is 318 00:12:27,725 --> 00:12:29,871 certifying that the materials that you're getting from 319 00:12:29,871 --> 00:12:32,017 your suppliers are free of child labor. 320 00:12:32,653 --> 00:12:35,196 That's not always easy to do with tracking 321 00:12:35,196 --> 00:12:37,275 systems, but we need to make an effort 322 00:12:37,275 --> 00:12:39,282 and and try to certify the debts 323 00:12:39,655 --> 00:12:40,607 child labor free. 324 00:12:41,797 --> 00:12:42,908 Again, if 325 00:12:43,305 --> 00:12:44,098 Ss members, 326 00:12:45,146 --> 00:12:47,531 can speak on this topic very well for 327 00:12:47,531 --> 00:12:49,915 the occupational safety hazards that children face, 328 00:12:50,710 --> 00:12:51,903 and and they can go to their, like, 329 00:12:52,141 --> 00:12:55,341 community rotary clubs and church meetings and those 330 00:12:55,341 --> 00:12:57,177 type of things that to just get the 331 00:12:57,177 --> 00:12:59,652 word out that this is a problem and 332 00:12:59,652 --> 00:13:02,206 how can we find the solutions by working 333 00:13:02,206 --> 00:13:02,365 together? 334 00:13:03,099 --> 00:13:05,735 There's other occupational states and health organizations around 335 00:13:05,735 --> 00:13:06,795 the world that As 336 00:13:07,254 --> 00:13:09,650 partners with that that we could work with 337 00:13:09,650 --> 00:13:10,424 to try to 338 00:13:10,942 --> 00:13:13,810 encourage the the country's to implement effective child 339 00:13:13,810 --> 00:13:14,527 labor things. 340 00:13:15,324 --> 00:13:17,576 1 of the big things is making 341 00:13:18,032 --> 00:13:19,727 education available to the young children 342 00:13:20,038 --> 00:13:22,181 A, a lot of countries, the parents have 343 00:13:22,181 --> 00:13:23,690 to pay a fee in order for their 344 00:13:23,690 --> 00:13:24,563 children to go to school. 345 00:13:25,278 --> 00:13:28,629 And you know, maybe maybe there's some opportunities 346 00:13:28,629 --> 00:13:29,925 there to encourage 347 00:13:30,778 --> 00:13:34,199 countries to have free educational systems that don't 348 00:13:34,199 --> 00:13:35,552 have to pay fees. And a lot of 349 00:13:35,552 --> 00:13:36,768 those fees because 350 00:13:37,158 --> 00:13:39,876 the economic hardships that causes the parents to 351 00:13:40,089 --> 00:13:42,387 encourage the kids to work in the in 352 00:13:42,387 --> 00:13:43,654 the exploit labor. 353 00:13:44,383 --> 00:13:46,708 So that's just for you this examples that 354 00:13:46,842 --> 00:13:49,461 get the word out. The United Nations had 355 00:13:49,461 --> 00:13:51,603 the year of the child in in 20 356 00:13:51,603 --> 00:13:52,079 21. 357 00:13:52,970 --> 00:13:53,370 And 358 00:13:54,169 --> 00:13:56,169 it's been an an issue for for years 359 00:13:56,169 --> 00:13:58,009 so you'll get some of the Io low 360 00:13:58,009 --> 00:14:00,009 standards and stuffs that's in place. It just... 361 00:14:00,169 --> 00:14:00,889 It's still happening. 362 00:14:01,542 --> 00:14:03,849 So there... There's lots of opportunities for improvement 363 00:14:03,849 --> 00:14:05,440 to try to address this issue. 364 00:14:06,713 --> 00:14:09,034 Absolutely. And you both mentioned the Un there 365 00:14:09,034 --> 00:14:10,464 and looking at it, you know, on a 366 00:14:10,464 --> 00:14:12,370 local State national level, if you would encourage, 367 00:14:12,529 --> 00:14:14,594 you know, safety professionals or whoever might be 368 00:14:14,594 --> 00:14:16,263 listening out there, you know, to get in 369 00:14:16,263 --> 00:14:19,627 touch with your legislators whether it's locally, your 370 00:14:19,627 --> 00:14:22,499 state legislators or, you know, your your representatives 371 00:14:22,499 --> 00:14:25,088 your senators to, you know, work to towards 372 00:14:25,301 --> 00:14:28,315 even perhaps getting legislation passed to try to 373 00:14:28,315 --> 00:14:29,663 bring an into a a lot of these 374 00:14:29,663 --> 00:14:30,401 kind of practices. 375 00:14:31,328 --> 00:14:34,309 Right. And there's in the National Safety Council 376 00:14:34,447 --> 00:14:34,947 magazine, 377 00:14:35,404 --> 00:14:37,397 recently had an article that a lot of 378 00:14:37,397 --> 00:14:40,879 the states are loosening up, child labor restrictions 379 00:14:41,158 --> 00:14:43,231 because of the shortage of labor in in 380 00:14:43,231 --> 00:14:44,347 the tight labor market. 381 00:14:44,905 --> 00:14:45,144 So, 382 00:14:46,420 --> 00:14:47,717 that's that the local 383 00:14:48,094 --> 00:14:49,130 input would be important. 384 00:14:49,863 --> 00:14:50,501 Prevent some of that, 385 00:14:51,219 --> 00:14:51,719 definitely. 386 00:14:52,336 --> 00:14:54,409 Any any final thoughts either if you would 387 00:14:54,409 --> 00:14:56,802 like to to share about, you know, the 388 00:14:56,802 --> 00:14:58,955 the topic of exploit child labor in the 389 00:14:58,955 --> 00:15:00,639 steps that folks out there can take to 390 00:15:00,639 --> 00:15:01,752 help put a stop to this? 391 00:15:02,546 --> 00:15:04,397 Well, I think Scott that, 392 00:15:05,009 --> 00:15:07,472 you know, both both barney and myself have 393 00:15:07,472 --> 00:15:10,439 put taking enough interest in this and have 394 00:15:10,439 --> 00:15:14,191 enough concern about this topic to really try 395 00:15:14,191 --> 00:15:17,166 to help our membership understand 396 00:15:17,717 --> 00:15:20,582 you know, the dangers of exploit child labor 397 00:15:20,582 --> 00:15:22,651 and the things that they can do to 398 00:15:22,651 --> 00:15:23,628 help. So 399 00:15:24,242 --> 00:15:26,311 we need more people with more passion about 400 00:15:26,311 --> 00:15:28,630 it. And the more that we have that 401 00:15:28,630 --> 00:15:30,560 and the more that our 402 00:15:30,934 --> 00:15:33,817 organization interacts with other safety and health 403 00:15:34,191 --> 00:15:35,120 organizations has 404 00:15:35,794 --> 00:15:38,970 Barney had mentioned, I think we'll gain more 405 00:15:38,970 --> 00:15:39,470 traction 406 00:15:39,923 --> 00:15:42,066 and make it a safer place for our 407 00:15:42,066 --> 00:15:42,384 children. 408 00:15:43,272 --> 00:15:45,043 Yeah. And and there's some 409 00:15:45,497 --> 00:15:47,960 excellent reading out there. The the book I 410 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,288 referred to was is called the Radian girls 411 00:15:50,918 --> 00:15:53,630 dark story of America's shining women by Kate 412 00:15:53,790 --> 00:15:55,784 H More. And when I read that, I... 413 00:15:56,183 --> 00:15:57,795 You know, it it was in 19 twenties. 414 00:15:58,035 --> 00:16:00,195 It was back of workers comp protections for 415 00:16:00,195 --> 00:16:02,115 those women and those young girls. 416 00:16:03,075 --> 00:16:05,475 Man, and it's... Right now, throughout the world 417 00:16:05,475 --> 00:16:08,466 holders there's there's children working in similar 418 00:16:09,243 --> 00:16:11,159 situations that those girls did in 19 twenties. 419 00:16:11,479 --> 00:16:12,676 So that's an interesting book. 420 00:16:13,315 --> 00:16:14,033 Another book is 421 00:16:14,751 --> 00:16:15,390 cobalt red, 422 00:16:16,042 --> 00:16:18,845 that talks about the Democratic Republic of Congo 423 00:16:19,060 --> 00:16:19,934 mining of cobalt. 424 00:16:20,490 --> 00:16:22,872 And then the Un, if you just Google, 425 00:16:23,111 --> 00:16:23,849 you win 426 00:16:24,159 --> 00:16:26,707 child exploit labor there's all kinds of articles. 427 00:16:27,185 --> 00:16:27,583 Amnesty 428 00:16:28,061 --> 00:16:30,848 International has all kinds of articles and and 429 00:16:30,848 --> 00:16:32,281 videos and those type of things. 430 00:16:33,014 --> 00:16:35,092 So it it wouldn't be hard to educate 431 00:16:35,092 --> 00:16:36,151 yourself on this 432 00:16:36,610 --> 00:16:39,088 situation and and think how you can make 433 00:16:39,088 --> 00:16:41,086 a difference that to change to improve it 434 00:16:41,086 --> 00:16:42,045 for a young child. 435 00:16:42,697 --> 00:16:44,447 People are taking of these kids, and that's 436 00:16:44,447 --> 00:16:45,322 what we need to stop. 437 00:16:46,436 --> 00:16:48,504 Exactly. That's so what what this is all 438 00:16:48,504 --> 00:16:52,099 about. And, yes. Definitely encourage or listeners to 439 00:16:52,099 --> 00:16:54,007 take a look at those resources you mentioned. 440 00:16:54,167 --> 00:16:54,246 And, 441 00:16:55,041 --> 00:16:57,268 Bob, you noted, you. I'd need more people 442 00:16:57,268 --> 00:16:57,768 with 443 00:16:58,159 --> 00:16:59,993 it, you know, to be passionate about this 444 00:16:59,993 --> 00:17:02,465 issue. I really appreciate the passion that both 445 00:17:02,465 --> 00:17:04,459 of you have and the work that you 446 00:17:04,459 --> 00:17:06,292 have done and continue to do to raise 447 00:17:06,292 --> 00:17:08,698 awareness of this so we can bring, a 448 00:17:08,698 --> 00:17:10,768 stop to this practice in the Us around 449 00:17:10,768 --> 00:17:12,440 the world and I really appreciate you both 450 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:13,953 coming on to share your thoughts about how 451 00:17:13,953 --> 00:17:15,386 we can do that. So thank you again. 452 00:17:16,118 --> 00:17:17,875 Thank you Scott. Thank you. 453 00:17:18,992 --> 00:17:20,668 We hope you've enjoyed this episode of the 454 00:17:20,668 --> 00:17:21,887 case for safety podcast. 455 00:17:22,584 --> 00:17:24,340 Be sure to subscribe on Spotify. 456 00:17:24,753 --> 00:17:27,139 Or Apple podcasts and be sure to leave 457 00:17:27,139 --> 00:17:29,048 a review to help others find the show. 458 00:17:29,684 --> 00:17:31,831 You can also connect with us at p 459 00:17:31,831 --> 00:17:32,308 dot org. 460 00:17:33,182 --> 00:17:34,216 We'll see you next time.