On Sept. 15, 2009, U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) introduced the Children's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act), H.R. 3564. The CARE Act seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to strengthen provisions relating to child labor. Current law permits children to work in agriculture at younger ages and for longer hours than in other sectors.

Currently, an estimated 500,000 children work in the fields throughout the United States. Children are exposed to long hours of backbreaking work, unsanitary conditions and hazardous pesticides, for pay that often falls below the minimum wage.

The CARE Act addresses the inequities and harsh conditions faced by many of these children, who are working before and after school to help support their families. Unfortunately, 65 percent of these children will likely drop out of school before graduating from high school.

The American Federation of Teachers commends the leadership of Rep. Roybal-Allard for introducing this bill. Please support her efforts to pass this legislation by signing this petition in support of the CARE Act. It's time we end the double standard that allows children to work in agriculture. Children, regardless of their socio-economic status, deserve a shot at fulfilling their potential by working hard in school and not in the fields.

Join the AFT, and sign up to help move this bill forward.