Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Printer-Friendly Version

Press Releases

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the state of Alaska are combining forces to raise awareness of workplace protections for young workers in the net fishing industry.

"We want to keep young workers in the fish industry working safely and smartly this summer and in the years to come," Martin Barrow, district director of DOL's Wage and Hour Division in Seattle said. "Our joint program with the state of Alaska will provide information to employers in the fishing industry and help them understand and comply with the state and federal statutes."

Grey Mitchell, director of the Alaska State Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Labor Standards and Safety Division, noted that every year youths become injured or lose their lives due to net fishing hazards. "The Alaska Wage and Hour Administration is dedicated to encouraging and assisting Alaska employers in the fishing industry to understand and eliminate youth exposure to unacceptable workplace hazards," Mitchell said.

A side-by-side comparison chart of the state and federal youth employment rules applicable to net fishing to increase knowledge and understanding of these important provisions is now available at www.wlabor.state.ak.us/lss/childlaw.htm The chart points out important differences between the federal and Alaska state youth employment rules.

In some cases, the state provisions are more restrictive than their federal counterparts and in others, the federal provisions are more restrictive. For example, under the state provisions, 14-and 15-year-olds may work up to 23 hours in a week when school is in session, but they may work only 18 hours in a school week under federal rules.

Differences also exist in the application of the parental exemption provided by the state and federal provisions. Under federal law, children younger than 18 may be employed by their parents in any occupation other than those declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Those under 16 years of age are also prohibited employment in manufacturing and mining. The Alaska state law, however, allows children younger than 18 to work under the direct supervision of a parent in a business owned and operated by a parent or on a boat owned and operated by a parent.

When employers are subject to differing state and federal youth labor rules, the stricter standard must be followed.

Through the Labor Deparment's YouthRules! initiative, launched by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao more than a year ago, DOL and its strategic partners, including states, are seeking to bring teens, parents, and employers together to ensure young workers have safe and rewarding work experiences. For more information about YouthRules! call the DOL's toll-free help line at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or on the Internet at www.youthrules.dol.gov.

Additional information about state laws is available from the Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division at (907) 269-4900.

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.