Florida House votes to loosen child labor laws

Controversial Measure to Loosen Work Restrictions for 16- and 17-Year-Olds Approved by Florida House

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House has approved a controversial measure (HB 49) that would loosen work restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds. The measure, which received a vote of 80-35, aims to eliminate long-standing restrictions on the number of hours these teenagers can work when school is scheduled the next day and during a school week.

Creating Opportunities for Teenagers

The bill sponsor, Linda Chaney, a Republican from St. Pete Beach, argues that the bill would provide teenagers with more choices and opportunities. She points out that 24 other states have already adopted similar measures. Chaney believes that the bill will benefit those teenagers who are already working beyond the current limits, often in jobs without benefits or protections.

Concerns Raised by Democrats

However, Democrats have expressed concerns about the bill. They argue that it could hinder students’ education and exploit children to address labor shortages, including shortages of immigrant workers. Representative Robin Bartleman, a Democrat from Weston, claims that the bill is intended to create a cheap workforce for big businesses.

Proposed Amendments

Democrats proposed several amendments to the bill, but they were unsuccessful. Some of the proposed amendments included requiring rest breaks every five hours for workers under 18 and mandating that employers provide parents with a list of their children’s duties and wages.

Exploitation of Economically Disadvantaged Children

Representative Ashley Gantt, a Democrat from Miami, warned that the changes would most likely exploit children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. She argued that these children would have to make up for the financial gaps in their homes.

Support for the Bill

On the other hand, Representative Jeff Holcomb, a Republican from Spring Hill, countered that the majority of teenagers, around 99 percent, would not work more than 30 hours a week. He believes that teenagers should be allowed to work if they want to, without being overly protected.

The Senate’s Version

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee has approved the Senate’s version of the bill (SB 1596), although it does not go as far as the House bill. The Senate version would still maintain the prohibition on working more than 30 hours in a week when school is in session. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican from Naples, expressed support for the Senate version, emphasizing the importance of parental consent and ensuring that education time is not sacrificed.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are relevant to this article include:

1. Goal 4: Quality Education
2. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
3. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

The bill’s impact on education, labor conditions, and inequality should be carefully considered in light of these goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

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

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
– Target 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
– Target 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.

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

There are no specific indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: sun-sentinel.com

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