Labor Secretary cuts funding for combating child labor

Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer recently took office and has already announced significant cuts to the Department of Labor's budget. She claimed to have reduced the budget by $33 million, but critics point out that these cuts include essential programs aimed at protecting children from labor exploitation. One major cut was a $3 million grant intended to combat forced and child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry. This program aimed to ensure transparency and accountability in a country with a known history of human rights violations, particularly in forced labor practices. Uzbekistan has often used children as laborers in its cotton fields, although efforts to reduce child labor have seen some success. The Solidarity Center, a U.S.-based nonprofit, had been working in Uzbekistan with funding from this grant. They aimed to improve conditions for workers and create a more ethical supply chain in the cotton market. Rudy Porter, a regional director for the organization, expressed concern about the impact of losing this funding, as it helps protect workers in both Uzbekistan and the U.S. from unfair competition. In addition to these cuts, the Department of Labor is ending various child-related programs, including childcare support and mental health services. This change has drawn criticism, especially as it seems to align with broader government spending cuts under the current administration. Critics argue that these moves negatively impact families and children. As Chavez-DeRemer implements these changes, her approach has raised questions about the priorities of the Republican Party, especially regarding their treatment of vulnerable populations like children.