[imagesource: Wikicommons]

It wasn’t that long ago that Trump was given a roasting for calling African countries sh#tholes.

At the time he was referring to migrants coming into the US from South America and Africa, a ‘problem’ he used to justify his great wall, and to do away with the green card lottery system.

Trump at the time wondered why the US didn’t get more immigrants from Norway.

Despite the obvious racist undertone of his attitude, we wonder if he ever considered that to Norwegians, the US has become a sh*thole?

After all, there have been 80 mass shootings in the US this year alone. It would now appear that the US can add child labour to their repertoire as well.

A New York Times investigation has found a new economy of exploitation that extends across industries in every state, flouting child labor laws that have been in place for nearly a century.

130 000 unaccompanied minors entered the US last year and according to the investigation, most of these children will end up working as “almost indentured servitude” across the United States.

Some of the children interviewed were as young as 14 and worked dangerous jobs in construction and manufacturing, while still trying to attend school. Teachers have also noted their concern as they see the effects this has on their schoolwork.

Do we have to ask why this is not being discussed more widely in Washington with the same fervour as policing the world? The US seems to take their responsibility as ‘World Police’ very seriously outside of its own borders, but internal problems seem to be swept under the carpet. Rocks and glass houses come to mind.

The ‘do as we say, not as we do’ mantra is growing stale, even as lawmakers in the US are pushing for laws that will make child labour even easier.

The laws aim to expand permissible work hours, broaden the types of jobs young workers are permitted to do, and shield employers from liability for injuries, illnesses or workplace fatalities involving very young workers. Child labor law violations have increased in the US, with a 37% increase in fiscal year 2022, including 688 children working in hazardous conditions.

Republican legislators introduced a bill in January to expand the types of work 14- and 15-year-olds would be permitted to do as part of approved training programs, extend allowable work hours, and exempt employers from liability if these young workers are sickened, injured or killed on the job.

It is unfortunate to think that these laws are being used to abuse and ‘indenture’ foreign immigrants who only wanted to have a chance at the American Dream.

The dream itself seems to have changed, with being a TikTok influencer apparently the number one ambition amongst US teens.

Beneath the shiny veneer of award shows, Superbowls, and billionaires flying to space, the darker side of the US is showing.

Sh#thole loading…

[nytimes&guadrian]