Final answer:
The Fair Labor Standards Act defines oppressive child labor by age restrictions and identifying hazardous occupations. It sets limits on work types and hours for children, aiming to protect their education and well-being, while also establishing minimum wage and overtime pay standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) defines oppressive child labor primarily by age restrictions and identifying hazardous occupations that are not suitable for children. This legislation was passed in 1938 with the aim to restrict the employment and potential abuse of child workers, ensuring that children are not exploited through work that could be dangerous or detrimental to their education and development.
Specific provisions of the FLSA set an age limit of 18 for workers in certain potentially dangerous jobs to encourage schooling, while for children aged 14-16, there are limited hours and significant restrictions on the type of work they may undertake. These regulations are pivotal in protecting the health, education, and general welfare of the youth.
Furthermore, the FLSA establishes other critical workforce regulations, such as setting a minimum wage, requiring payment of overtime pay for work exceeding 40 hours per week, and setting maximum working hours for various age groups to safeguard young workers.