>No. I don't believe this race to the bottom actually exists.
There are literally companies using child labor in the US RIGHT NOW, and a huge argument against increasing minimum wage is that "they are jobs for teens and teens don't need that much money" so desperate (or privileged enough in their position to not need to demand more) people are depressing wages in the US currently.
You are 100% spot on. States are weakening worker and child protection laws around the country. Destroying oversight of child protection: no need to check that kids are at least 16 before they are hired in Arkansas. Ohio Reps want to let 14 year olds work year round until 9pm each day. Iowa wants to let 14 year olds work in meatpacking plants AND indemnify companies from liability if the child is injured or killed at work, isn't that just grand?
Minnesota trails with a bill to let 16 year olds work on construction sites. Do I hear 14? 13? How much for 12? Why any age at all? If a baby can swing a hammer, then what right does the man in Washington have to stop him? Is that baby not entitled to the sweat of his brow? I say YES! And if that baby should fall off a ladder dragging a square of tiles behind him, should the company not be protected from liability for it was that baby's own fault? I say YES, most emphatically! /s
There are literally companies using child labor in the US RIGHT NOW, and a huge argument against increasing minimum wage is that "they are jobs for teens and teens don't need that much money" so desperate (or privileged enough in their position to not need to demand more) people are depressing wages in the US currently.