Florida is considering relaxing child labor laws, potentially allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts. This comes amid efforts to crack down on employers hiring undocumented immigrants, leading to labor shortages.
A bill passed a Florida Senate committee, proposing changes to child labor laws, including allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight and removing restrictions on hours for home-schooled teens aged 14-15. It also eliminates guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Governor Ron DeSantis supports the bill, arguing that teenagers and college students could fill the jobs vacated due to immigration restrictions. He has been a vocal proponent of stricter immigration enforcement.
Economists have warned that the crackdown on immigration could backfire, exacerbating labor shortages and inflation.
Florida has seen a near tripling of child labor violations in recent years, according to US Department of Labor statistics.