Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Labor Law Changes in Florida

Introduction

Several Republican-backed pushes to radically change the state’s labor laws died during the Legislative Session. Bills related to workers’ legal work status, minimum wage for interns, and child labor laws failed to advance. This report highlights the impact of these failed bills on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. House Bill 955 aimed to require small businesses to use the E-verify system to check workers’ legal work status. Although it passed in the House, it failed to advance in the Senate. This bill aligns with SDG 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth.
2. Another bill, HB 1225, sought to weaken child labor laws and allow longer working hours for 16- and 17-year-olds. It passed in the House but failed to advance in the Senate. This bill could have negative implications for SDG 8, as it may compromise the well-being and education of young workers.
3. Senate Bill 676/House Bill 541 proposed allowing employees to voluntarily opt in to get paid less than the minimum wage for pre-apprenticeships and internships. This bill also stalled out in committee. It raises concerns about fair wages and the exploitation of workers, which are contrary to SDG 8.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The failed bills could have a negative impact on immigrant families who rely on certain industries for their livelihoods. The proposed changes to labor laws may result in lower wages and increased vulnerability to poverty, contradicting SDG 1.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The bills’ failure to advance is seen as a victory for Democrats who opposed the measures. They argued that the changes would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating inequalities and hindering progress towards SDG 10.

Conclusion

The failure of these labor law changes in Florida is a significant development in the context of the SDGs. The bills’ potential negative impact on decent work, poverty reduction, and reduced inequalities highlights the importance of aligning legislative efforts with the SDGs. Moving forward, policymakers should consider the broader implications of proposed labor law changes to ensure they contribute to sustainable development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
   • Indicator 10.4.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
   • Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.

Analysis

The article discusses several Republican-backed pushes to change labor laws in Florida, which are connected to the following SDGs, targets, and indicators:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

The article mentions bills that would allow interns to get paid below the minimum wage and loosen child labor laws. These proposals could undermine the achievement of full and productive employment, decent work, and equal pay for all individuals. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as average hourly earnings and unemployment rate, can be used to measure progress towards these targets.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
• Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
• Indicator 10.4.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

The proposed bills mentioned in the article, such as allowing interns to be paid less than the minimum wage, could contribute to increased inequalities in the labor market. The indicators related to labor share of GDP and the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income can be used to measure progress towards reducing inequalities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
• Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.

The article does not directly discuss corruption or bribery, but it highlights the opposition of Democrats to the proposed bills. This opposition can be seen as a commitment to strong institutions and the reduction of corrupt practices that may arise from exploiting labor laws.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: floridapolitics.com