When I was 15 years old, I got my first job as a lifeguard. Before I started, I had to obtain a work permit with my parents’ consent and the consultation of my school. There were strict rules governing the hours between which I was allowed to work, as well as how many hours I was allowed to work per week while school was in session. All of these regulations were in place because I was a minor. I resented them at the time. As an adolescent who longed to be treated as an adult — and who wanted to earn my own money — I thought the state had no business telling me when, where, or for how long...
Hard facts about labor trafficking










