Although little progress had been made for several decades, hard work eventually paid off for the rights of underage workers beginning in the mid 1930s. The federal government was finally able to start passing laws that regulated child labor and punished businesses who employed underage kids.
The first sign of progress came in 1936 with the Walsh-Healey Act. Among other things, one key aspect of the law was that children under the age of 16 were not to be employed unless there were special circumstances, and the United States government would not purchase any goods from businesses who employed underage children. (Loc.gov) In 1937 another major step was taken toward federal regulation. Although it only applied to one industry, the Sugar Act declared all sugar growers ineligible for benefit payments if they were to violate their state minimum wage and hours of work standards. The most important step came in 1938 with the passing of the Fair Labor Standards Act, also known as the Wages and Hours Bill. Under this bill a minimum wage, maximum working hours, and overtime pay was established. In addition to these advances in labor, the rights of working children in the United States took a monumental step. Most circumstances prohibited the employment of minors in "oppressive child labor", and the federal government would regulate the hours and conditions of the still working minors. (Adler, Felix)
The first sign of progress came in 1936 with the Walsh-Healey Act. Among other things, one key aspect of the law was that children under the age of 16 were not to be employed unless there were special circumstances, and the United States government would not purchase any goods from businesses who employed underage children. (Loc.gov) In 1937 another major step was taken toward federal regulation. Although it only applied to one industry, the Sugar Act declared all sugar growers ineligible for benefit payments if they were to violate their state minimum wage and hours of work standards. The most important step came in 1938 with the passing of the Fair Labor Standards Act, also known as the Wages and Hours Bill. Under this bill a minimum wage, maximum working hours, and overtime pay was established. In addition to these advances in labor, the rights of working children in the United States took a monumental step. Most circumstances prohibited the employment of minors in "oppressive child labor", and the federal government would regulate the hours and conditions of the still working minors. (Adler, Felix)