Florida Considers Lifting Child Labor Laws to Address Job Vacancies from Undocumented Workers

Florida considers Loosening Child Labor Laws Amid Immigration Crackdown

By archyde.com News Desk | Published March 25, 2025

The Proposed Legislation: Overnight Shifts for Teens?

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida legislature is poised to debate a controversial bill on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, that could considerably alter the state’s child labor laws. The proposed changes, championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, would allow 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts, a move that has sparked both support and strong opposition. The bill, if passed, would permit teenagers to work overnight jobs even on school days, a departure from the current law that restricts work hours before 6:30 a.m. and after 11 p.m.

This potential shift in policy comes as Florida grapples with labor shortages,notably in low-wage sectors,exacerbated by the state’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

DeSantis’ Rationale: Filling the Labor Gap

Gov. DeSantis has been a vocal proponent of stricter immigration enforcement,aligning with rhetoric similar to that of former President Donald Trump. However, economists have cautioned that such measures could lead to unintended consequences, including inflation and a scarcity of workers.

DeSantis addressed the labor concerns directly,stating,Why do we say we need to import foreigners,even import them illegally,when you know,teenagers used to work at these resorts,college students should be able to do this stuff. These remarks, made at a panel discussion with border security expert Tom Homan, highlight the governor’s belief that young Floridians can definitely help address the state’s workforce needs.

The E-Verify Mandate: A Double-Edged Sword

In 2023, Florida enacted a law requiring employers with more than 25 employees to verify their employees’ immigration status using the federal E-Verify database. Non-compliance carries a hefty penalty of $1,000 per day until proof of legal citizenship is provided.

While intended to ensure a legal workforce, this mandate has inadvertently contributed to the labor shortage.DeSantis acknowledged this, saying, Yes, we had people that left because of those rules, but you’ve also been able to hire other people. And what’s wrong with expecting our young people to be working part-time now? I mean, that’s how it used to be when I was growing up. This statement reveals a viewpoint that relies on younger workers to fill the gaps created by stricter immigration enforcement.

Further Deregulation: Expanding Child Labor

The proposed legislation is not an isolated event but rather part of a broader trend of easing child labor restrictions in Florida. In 2024, a law was passed allowing home-schooled 16- and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours.

The current bill under consideration includes additional provisions, such as eliminating working time restrictions for home-schooled 14- and 15-year-olds and removing mandatory meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-olds. These changes raise concerns about the potential impact on teenagers’ education,health,and overall well-being.

Rising Child Labor Violations: A Cause for Concern

Adding to the apprehension surrounding these legislative changes is the alarming increase in child labor violations in Florida. According to data from the The Broader Debate: Balancing Labor Needs and Child Welfare

Florida’s proposed changes to child labor laws are part of a larger national conversation about balancing the needs of businesses with the well-being of young workers. Several states across the contry are considering similar measures, driven by labor shortages and a desire to stimulate economic growth. However, child advocacy groups and labor organizations have voiced strong opposition, arguing that these changes could harm children’s education, health, and future prospects.

Examples of industries that might seek to employ younger workers include restaurants, retail stores, and tourism-related businesses. While these jobs can provide valuable work experience and income for teenagers,they also carry the risk of exploitation,long hours,and hazardous working conditions. The debate centers on finding a balance that allows young people to gain work experience without jeopardizing their education and well-being.

Potential Counterarguments and Criticisms

While proponents argue that these changes offer opportunities for young people and address labor shortages, there are several counterarguments to consider:

• Educational Impact: Critics argue that working long hours, especially overnight shifts, can negatively impact students’ academic performance, attendance, and overall engagement in school.
• Health and Safety: Concerns exist about the potential health consequences of young people working late hours,including sleep deprivation,stress,and increased risk of accidents and injuries.
• Exploitation: Labor advocates worry that loosening restrictions could lead to the exploitation of young workers, who may be more vulnerable to unfair labor practices and low wages.
• Economic Impact: Some economists argue that relying on child labor is not a sustainable solution to labor shortages and may depress wages for adult workers.

Child Labor Law Comparison

State	Minimum Age for Employment	Restrictions on Hours (School Days)	Meal Break Requirements
Florida (Current)	14	No earlier than 6:30 AM,No later than 11:00 PM	Guaranteed for 16- and 17-year-olds
Florida (Proposed)	14	No restrictions for home-schooled students; Overnight shifts allowed	Eliminated for 16- and 17-year-olds
California	14	Max 3 hours/day	30-minute meal break after 5 hours of work
New York	14	Max 3 hours/day	30-minute meal break after 5 hours of work

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Do you believe the proposed changes too child labor laws in Florida, including allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts, would benefit the state or should they be avoided?

interview: Child Labor Law Changes in Florida

Archyde News Desk | Published March 25, 2025

Interview with Dr. Emily Carter,Child Welfare Advocate

Welcome,Dr. Carter. thank you for joining us today to discuss the perhaps significant changes to child labor laws being considered in Florida. Can you give us an overview of the proposed legislation?

The Proposed changes

Dr. Carter: certainly. The Florida legislature is currently debating a bill that would loosen restrictions on child labor. A key component is allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts. This comes at a time when the state is also cracking down on illegal immigration, and these seemingly unrelated things are related in their potential effects!

Interviewer: That’s a startling proposal. the article indicates this might be presented as a solution to filling a labor gap.What are the primary arguments that legislators and proponents of this bill are using to support it?

Dr. Carter: The primary argument from proponents, as seen by Governor DeSantis’s words, revolves around addressing labor shortages in certain sectors, especially in the wake of stricter immigration enforcement. The idea is that young people can fill these jobs, offering them valuable work experience and helping businesses stay afloat.

Overnight Shifts and Education

Interviewer: The idea of 14-year-olds working overnight is notably concerning. What are the potential negative impacts on a child’s well-being and education if the bill passes?

Dr. Carter: The most significant concerns are around the impact on education, health, and safety. Working long hours, especially overnight, can severely affect a student’s academic performance, attendance, and overall engagement in school. lack of sleep is a serious factor for teenagers, leading to potential health problems, increased stress levels and accidents.There are also concerns about exploitation, as young workers, coudl be more vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

Increased Child Labor Violations

Interviewer: The article also mentions a rise in child labor violations in Florida. How does this factor into the debate?

Dr. Carter: The increase in violations, according to recent data, should give us pause. If existing laws are not being adequately enforced, what will happen if we loosen them? It’s reasonable to expect problems to worsen if there are not enough resources to ensure proper oversight — a need for appropriate regulations and dedicated enforcement mechanisms is more necessary than ever.

Balancing Needs with Child Welfare

Interviewer: this seems to bring up a crucial question about balancing the needs of businesses and supporting child welfare. In your opinion is there a way to strike this balance?

Dr. Carter: Yes. It’s crucial to find a balance that allows young people to gain work experience and income without compromising their education, health, and safety. The right frameworks might involve reasonable limits on working hours during school terms, and during school holiday seasons.There should also be robust protections against exploitation, and ensuring that all workplaces are properly staffed and equipped, and that workplaces aren’t dangerous. Moreover, the government should enforce those protections.

Final Thoughts

Interviewer: dr. Carter, before we conclude, what are your final thoughts on the proposed changes?

Dr. Carter: This isn’t just about economics; it is about our duty to protect young peoples, who have the right to develop in a safe and supportive environment. While addressing labor shortages is a real concern, it is not a solution which takes the human price of exploiting children. The conversation over this legislation in Florida should be a catalyst for a more profound reassessment of social policy.

Reader Interaction

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your expertise, Dr. Carter. Now, let’s open this up to our readers. What are your thoughts on the proposed changes to child labor laws? Do you believe they can provide a benefit to Florida,or should they be avoided?

We want to hear from you.Share your comments and opinions below, and let’s keep this significant conversation going.

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