Florida debates lifting some child labor laws to fill jobs vacated by undocumented immigrants – CNN

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Labor Laws in Florida

Introduction

1. Florida has been facing challenges in curbing the employment of undocumented immigrants by businesses in the state.
2. These businesses require workers for low-wage and often undesirable jobs.

Proposed Solution: Loosening Child Labor Laws

• Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, and the state legislature have proposed a potential solution to the labor shortage: allowing children to work.
• The state’s legislature has advanced a bill that would loosen child labor laws, permitting children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts.
• If passed, teenagers would be able to work overnight jobs on school days, contrary to the current state law that restricts working hours between 6:30 am and 11 pm.

Legislative Progress and Support

• The bill has passed through the Florida Senate’s Commerce and Tourism committee with five votes in favor and four against.
• It will now proceed through two other relevant committees before being put to a vote with the full Florida Senate.
• Governor DeSantis supports the law and has been vocal about cracking down on immigration, aligning with President Donald Trump’s stance.

Economic Concerns and Immigration Crackdown

• Economists have warned that cracking down on immigration could lead to inflation and labor shortages.
• Governor DeSantis argues that teenagers and college students should be given the opportunity to work, reducing the need to import foreign workers.

Previous Child Labor Law Changes in Florida

• Last year, the state legislature passed a law allowing home-schooled 16- and 17-year-olds to work at any hour of the day.
• The new proposed law includes additional changes, such as eliminating working time restrictions for 14- and 15-year-olds who are home-schooled and ending guaranteed meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Child Labor Violations and Statistics

• The number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, according to US Department of Labor statistics.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 as they involve labor laws and employment practices. They are also connected to SDG 10 as they touch on the topic of inequality and the potential impact on vulnerable groups, such as children.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article highlights the potential loosening of child labor laws, which could impact SDG 8.7 by potentially allowing the worst forms of child labor. It also raises concerns about the inclusion and protection of young workers, which relates to SDG 10.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of child labor violations
• Changes in child labor laws and restrictions

The article mentions that the number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, indicating a potential indicator to measure progress towards SDG 8.7. Additionally, the article discusses the potential changes in child labor laws, which can be monitored as an indicator of progress towards both SDG 8.7 and SDG 10.2.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cnn.com