Congressman Responds to Fusion Child Labor Investigation

Children as young as 8 and 10 years old are working in tobacco fields in North Carolina, a Fusion investigation uncovered earlier this week.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who has co-sponsored legislation to raise the agricultural working age from 12 to 14, responded to the story on Thursday.

“Our labor laws need to reflect our country’s commitment to child and human rights,” he said in a statement. “While we shake our heads at sweatshops overseas, we continue to allow our own children to work in the fields, jobs that are frequently strenuous and potentially dangerous. Twelve year olds should be doing their algebra homework, not toiling in tobacco fields.”