Who's at work? In the face of shortages, some lawmakers eye rollback of youth job limits
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In one part of the country, a new labor proposal is stirring debate about the future of work for the next generation.
Faced with growing staffing shortages in key industries, state lawmakers are weighing a controversial plan that could change long-standing rules around teen employment.
The move has sparked conversations about youth labor, economic pressures, and the balance between opportunity and protection.
The GrayVine is here to unpack this complex issue and explore what it could mean for your grandchildren and future generations of workers.
For years, Florida has been tightening the reins on businesses that employ undocumented immigrants, a move aimed at ensuring jobs for legal residents.
However, this crackdown has led to an unintended consequence—a labor shortage in sectors that rely heavily on low-wage and less desirable jobs.
Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside the Republican-controlled state legislature, believes they may have found an answer to this problem, and it involves the state's youth.
On a recent Tuesday, the Florida Senate's Commerce and Tourism committee took a significant step by advancing a bill that would relax existing child labor laws
This proposed legislation would allow children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts, a stark change from the current law that prohibits work before 6:30 am or after 11 pm on school days.
The bill's journey is not over yet—it must pass through two more committees before facing the full Senate vote. So far, it has received five votes in favor and four against them.
Governor DeSantis has expressed his support for the bill, aligning with his broader stance on immigration that follows Trump’s vision.
“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,” DeSantis expressed last week at a panel discussion with border czar Tom Homan, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
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If passed, this law would not only permit overnight work for teenagers but also introduce other changes.
For instance, it would remove working time restrictions for home-schooled 14 and 15-year-olds and end guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Source: CBS Miami / Youtube.
A Florida law was also passed in 2023 mandating employers with over 25 employees to check their immigration status using the federal database known as E-Verify.
Employers who don’t follow the law face fines of $1,000 per day, until providing proof that their workers are legal citizens.
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“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,” DeSantis also shared.
These modifications come on the heels of a previous law that allowed home-schooled teens aged 16 and 17 to work unrestricted hours.
Source: WPTV News - FL Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast / Youtube.
Economists have raised concerns that such a shift could exacerbate inflation and worsen labor shortages.
Moreover, the number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, according to the US Department of Labor.
Disclaimer: At the time of writing, this is still a developing story.
Read next: New proposal raises privacy concerns—Here’s what you need to know.
What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you believe that allowing teens to work overnight shifts is a step forward or backward? How do you think this will affect the youth in your family and community? We invite you to join the conversation and share your insights in the comments below!
Faced with growing staffing shortages in key industries, state lawmakers are weighing a controversial plan that could change long-standing rules around teen employment.
The move has sparked conversations about youth labor, economic pressures, and the balance between opportunity and protection.
The GrayVine is here to unpack this complex issue and explore what it could mean for your grandchildren and future generations of workers.
For years, Florida has been tightening the reins on businesses that employ undocumented immigrants, a move aimed at ensuring jobs for legal residents.
However, this crackdown has led to an unintended consequence—a labor shortage in sectors that rely heavily on low-wage and less desirable jobs.
Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside the Republican-controlled state legislature, believes they may have found an answer to this problem, and it involves the state's youth.
On a recent Tuesday, the Florida Senate's Commerce and Tourism committee took a significant step by advancing a bill that would relax existing child labor laws
Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis supports a bill to loosen child labor laws, allowing children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts. Image source: Kemal Kozbaev / Unsplash.
This proposed legislation would allow children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts, a stark change from the current law that prohibits work before 6:30 am or after 11 pm on school days.
The bill's journey is not over yet—it must pass through two more committees before facing the full Senate vote. So far, it has received five votes in favor and four against them.
Governor DeSantis has expressed his support for the bill, aligning with his broader stance on immigration that follows Trump’s vision.
“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,” DeSantis expressed last week at a panel discussion with border czar Tom Homan, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
You might be interested: Burger lovers, beware! Is your favorite burger place closing?
If passed, this law would not only permit overnight work for teenagers but also introduce other changes.
For instance, it would remove working time restrictions for home-schooled 14 and 15-year-olds and end guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Source: CBS Miami / Youtube.
A Florida law was also passed in 2023 mandating employers with over 25 employees to check their immigration status using the federal database known as E-Verify.
Employers who don’t follow the law face fines of $1,000 per day, until providing proof that their workers are legal citizens.
You might like: Is Social Security at risk? Why lawmakers are raising concerns over DOGE’s sudden changes
“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,” DeSantis also shared.
These modifications come on the heels of a previous law that allowed home-schooled teens aged 16 and 17 to work unrestricted hours.
Source: WPTV News - FL Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast / Youtube.
Economists have raised concerns that such a shift could exacerbate inflation and worsen labor shortages.
Moreover, the number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, according to the US Department of Labor.
Disclaimer: At the time of writing, this is still a developing story.
Read next: New proposal raises privacy concerns—Here’s what you need to know.
What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you believe that allowing teens to work overnight shifts is a step forward or backward? How do you think this will affect the youth in your family and community? We invite you to join the conversation and share your insights in the comments below!
