Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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PHILADELPHIA -- Teens planning to work this summer will have access to key advice at the YouthRules! Rally being held at the Moorestown Mall (Strawbridge's Wing), 400 Route 38, Moorestown, N.J. on Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Federal, state and local experts will distribute information and answer questions about how to acquire working papers, how to search for a job, what teens can and cannot do on a job and how teens can stay safe on the job. WIOQ-FM "Q102" will participate in the Rally from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. with music, prizes and give-aways.

To recognize the importance of educating teens about workplace protections, Governor James E. McGreevey issued a proclamation declaring Apr. 26, 2003 YouthRules! Day in the State of New Jersey.

"Every year, millions of teens work in part-time or summer jobs," says Corlis Sellers, national child labor coordinator for the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. "This event is a cooperative effort aimed at educating area teenagers and their parents about workplace protections and available employment services to ensure positive and safe work experiences."

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, each year, nearly 230,000 teens suffer worker-related injuries, 77,000 teens requiring emergency room care, and 70 teens die from work injuries in the United States.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the New Jersey Department of Labor, the Rally is a part of the national YouthRules! Campaign launched in May 2002 by U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The campaign is designed to educate young workers, parents, educators and prospective employers about the laws that affect workers under the age of 18.

Additional information on YouthRules! can be found at www.youthrules.dol.gov .

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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.