Addressing Child Labor
Every young person deserves a safe, fair introduction to the working world.
About Our Work
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has long stood with low-income people and working families. Today, young workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation as they try to help support themselves and their families. According to FOIA data, child labor violations in Virginia nearly tripled from 2021 to 2022, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections, better education for youth, and greater support for state agencies charged with enforcement.
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Legislative Actions & Priorities
Supporting Working Families
Child Labor
Employers too often take advantage of youth workers. Reforms are needed to protect youth, educate and empower young workers to report violations and support state agencies who are in charge of enforcing child labor laws.
Know your Rights
Knowledge is power, especially for first-time workers. Our talented Bonner program intern, Ina Loka, created a flyer series to help young workers understand and protect their rights. These tools are designed for teens entering jobs like lifeguarding, fast food, or summer retail—helping ensure they get paid fairly and stay safe on the job. Learn more and help us spread the word!
Join the Movement
You can play a vital role in protecting young workers.
Share these flyers with teens in your life, whether they’re scooping ice cream, lifeguarding, or working fast food—it’s critical they know their rights from day one.
Contact your legislators to advocate for stronger protections against child labor violations.
We also encourage you to visit our Get Involved and Events pages to connect with upcoming advocacy opportunities.
Helpful Resources
VICPP’s Report on The Rise of Child Labor in Virginia
Child Labor Flyers: Know Your Rights!
More Ways To Get Involved
Join us in making a difference—discover how you can support our mission, attend upcoming events, and explore our resources to stay engaged and help create positive change in our community.
