Child labor to be permitted in Florida? State debates as jobs go vacant following departure of undocumented immigrants

Florida is experiencing a significant labor shortage as a result of tighter immigration laws. To close the gap, lawmakers are considering reducing child labor protections. The proposal would allow younger teens to work longer hours, but there are growing concerns about exploitation and increased child labor violations.

Why is Florida facing worker shortages?

Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would loosen child labor restrictions by allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts on school days. The proposal comes after a crackdown on undocumented workers, which has left jobs vacant, as per reports.

In order to fill positions left vacant by undocumented immigrants, Florida is considering repealing some of its child labor laws. Supporters claim it promotes youth employment, but critics warn of exploitation and increased child labor violations, as quoted in a report by CNN.


For years, Florida has been taking action against companies that hire illegal immigrants. However, that created a challenge for the state's businesses, which are in dire need of employees to fill low-paying and frequently unappealing positions. Children could be the answer, according to Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, and the state legislature, as per reports.

What changes are being proposed to child labor laws?

A bill that would relax the state's laws against child labor and permit children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts is scheduled for debate by the legislature on Tuesday. Teens could work overnight jobs on school days if the new law is approved, as quoted in a report by CNN.

As of right now, state law prohibits them from working before 6:30 am or after 11 pm. DeSantis supports the law and has echoed President Donald Trump's rhetoric by vocally calling for a crackdown on immigration. That might backfire, though, according to economists, leading to more inflation and a labor shortage.

At a panel discussion with border czar Tom Homan last week, DeSantis stated, "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," as the Tampa Bay Times first reported.

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In 2023, a law was signed in Florida mandating that companies with more than 25 workers use the federal database E-Verify to verify their immigration status. Businesses that violate the law risk fines of $1,000 per day until they can prove that their employees are law-abiding citizens.

The legislature of Florida passed a law last year that permits 16- and 17-year-olds who are homeschooled to work at any time of day, continuing the state's long-standing relaxation of child labor laws.

The new law ends guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds and removes working time restrictions for homeschooled teenagers aged 14 and 15. According to data from the US Department of Labor, Florida has seen a nearly threefold increase in child labor violations in recent years.

FAQs

What changes does the new Florida child labor legislation propose?
The bill would allow 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts, eliminate meal break requirements for older teens, and reduce restrictions on homeschooled minors' work hours.

Why is Florida considering this change?
After strict immigration laws resulted in worker shortages, lawmakers see easing child labor restrictions as a way to fill low-wage job openings.