Required meal breaks for child workers in Louisiana could be repealed
Required meal breaks for child workers in Louisiana could be repealed BRProud.com
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Louisiana Legislature Considers Changes to Child Labor Laws
The Louisiana Legislature is currently reviewing proposed changes to child labor laws that could potentially impact break times for children. The legislation, known as HB156, seeks to eliminate the state’s requirement for minors to take a 30-minute meal break if they work for at least five hours. State Rep. Roger Wilder, R-Denham Springs, who owns several Smoothie King franchises across the state, is the sponsor of the bill and believes that removing this rule would have positive effects.
Current Child Labor Laws in Louisiana
Under the current state law, individuals under the age of 18 must be given a 30-minute break if they work for five hours. Wilder argues that this law is outdated and that teenagers should have the autonomy to decide whether they want to take a break. He also claims that removing this requirement would save businesses from facing fines and paperwork.
Support for the Proposed Changes
Wilder dismisses criticisms of the bill, stating, “The wording is ‘we’re here to harm children’… Give me a break. I mean, these are young adults… The law’s got a hypocrisy to it.” He further asserts that businesses are hesitant to hire teenagers due to the risk of not meeting the current requirements. According to Wilder, teenagers should have the freedom to leave a job that does not offer them a break, even without the law mandating it.
Opposition and Concerns
State Rep. Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport, expressed her desire to learn more about the demand for this bill among minors. She questioned whether there is a significant outcry from teenagers who do not wish to take a break and understand that they have their whole lives ahead of them to work as adults. Phelps also emphasized the importance of safeguards for minor workers.
Despite Wilder’s arguments, dozens of labor groups and workers have voiced their opposition to the bill. The president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO stated in a press release that there are more pressing issues that the legislature should be focusing on instead of children’s meal breaks.
Next Steps
The bill will now proceed to the full House for further debate and consideration.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 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.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- 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.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses a proposed bill (HB156) in Louisiana that aims to remove the state’s requirement for minors to take a 30-minute meal break if they work for at least five hours. This directly relates to SDG 8’s target 8.7, which focuses on eradicating forced labor, ending child labor, and securing the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. By removing the meal break requirement, there is a potential risk of increasing the exploitation of child labor and violating their rights to decent work.
The article also mentions the viewpoint of state Rep. Roger Wilder, who believes that removing the rule would benefit businesses by saving them from fines and paperwork. This perspective highlights the need to balance the interests of businesses with the protection of child labor rights, as outlined in SDG 8.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article indirectly touches on SDG 4’s target 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. State Rep. Wilder argues that 16 and 17-year-olds should be considered young adults capable of making decisions without a babysitter, implying that they possess the necessary skills and maturity to navigate the workforce without mandated breaks. This perspective raises questions about the quality of education and vocational training provided to young adults, as well as their preparedness for employment.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 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. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. |
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Source: brproud.com
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