Labor Dept. boosts penalties for child labor

[Omaha Steve]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHILD_LABOR_PENALTIES?SITE=FLDAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Labor Department is sharply increasing the penalties against employers who illegally use child workers.

Anyone illegally employing 12-and 13-year-olds will now face a penalty of $6,000 for each violation. The maximum fine previously was $900.

Those employing children under 12 will face a penalty of $8,000 per violation. That's up from a previous maximum of $1,150.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis (soh-LEES') says the new fines are part of a stepped up effort to crack down on illegal child labor. The penalties could go as high as $11,000 per violation in cases that involve injury or willful and repeated offenders.

The stiffer penalties are effective immediately and apply to any violation occurring on or after June 1.

[Scuba]

1. So it's about economics....

...lessee, I pay the kids squat and risk penalties, or I pay adults a living wage and benefits. Where is the tipping point?

How about the death penalty? Or life behind bars? Twenty years?