Gransnet forums

News & politics

Child workers in Florida

(35 Posts)
Nandalot Sat 29-Mar-25 13:14:42

New regulations are set to come into force in Florida to increase the hours children 14 or over who are homeschooled and over can work including overnight without a break even on school nights! 16 and 17 years olds will be allowed to work up to eight hours a day even on school nights and up to 30 hours a week. Apparently, this is because there is such a shortage of migrant workers.
I despair.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/florida-republicans-immigrant-jobs-child-labor

www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-senate-panel-advances-bill-to-further-roll-back-child-labor-restrictions/

NotSpaghetti Sun 30-Mar-25 18:59:23

Children here in the UK can also do (some) paid work but it is regulated.

imaround Sun 30-Mar-25 17:50:31

This isn't pulling weeds in a yard or mowing the neighbors grass.

Here on the US, children can work at age 16 already and, in some cases at 14 with heavy restrictions.

No child should be working from 10 pm to 6 am and then going to school. Which is one of the things this bill will allow.

We have had child labor rights in the US since 1923 I believe. This is trying to reverse them.

NotSpaghetti Sun 30-Mar-25 15:57:20

But not if you feel you must work a nightshift shelf stacking on a schoolday!

Baggs Sun 30-Mar-25 15:38:32

Work isn't just about pay. It's an education in itself. For adults as well as kids.

Baggs Sun 30-Mar-25 15:34:54

I have American friends (a long way from Florida) who pay a neighbour's child to do a bit of weeding in their garden.

Baggs Sun 30-Mar-25 15:33:42

In principle I'm not against children working. Even from an early age they can 'help' with some household chores. I think that should be encouraged and does them good rather than harm. Without their being abused and used as unpaid or underpaid workers is it really extreme to apply this idea as they grow older and sometimes outwith their home environments?

Baggs Sun 30-Mar-25 15:30:11

Re the first part, I mean I think that is what some people do think about school.

Baggs Sun 30-Mar-25 15:29:23

Sadly, this particular sub-group of voters do not value education. They think hard work is enough and honestly believe that schools indoctrinate kids to Liberal values.

I think this is true as far as it goes, but what kids learn at school is not the only educational part of their lives. I think people forget that.

One of the things you could overhear a lot in these areas is "I only went to school until 4th grade and I did just fine".

Which suggests they are not, or do not feel, 'trapped in poverty'.

Just some thoughts 🙃

NotSpaghetti Sun 30-Mar-25 15:05:42

Please don't tell them in Florida M0nica!

M0nica Sun 30-Mar-25 13:37:31

RosieandherMaw

BlueBelle

Up the chimneys lad

"Or down t'pit."

Excellent. 3 year olds are quite capable of sitting in the dark 10 hours a day opening and shutting a gate as they hear the trucks loaded with coal roll up.

RosieandherMaw Sun 30-Mar-25 09:18:58

BlueBelle

Up the chimneys lad

"Or down t'pit."

NotSpaghetti Sun 30-Mar-25 08:56:51

flappergirl

Why homeschooled children?

Presumably because they can do any study in-between work?

M0nica Sun 30-Mar-25 08:50:57

imaround

He was from Georgia.

www.google.com/amp/s/fox59.com/news/national-world/republican-congressman-suggests-students-get-jobs-to-pay-for-lunches/amp/

Are 6 year olds included in this? They could always sweep chimneys. In fact if lunches are then made exxpensive they will lose weight, be very skinny and able to climb up smaller and smaller chimneys.

It is a win/win situation!

flappergirl Sat 29-Mar-25 19:41:00

Why homeschooled children?

imaround Sat 29-Mar-25 19:35:46

He was from Georgia.

www.google.com/amp/s/fox59.com/news/national-world/republican-congressman-suggests-students-get-jobs-to-pay-for-lunches/amp/

imaround Sat 29-Mar-25 19:34:14

Unfortunately yes, this will continue the cycle of poverty.

Sadly, this particular sub-group of voters do not value education. They think hard work is enough and honestly believe that schools indoctrinate kids to Liberal values.

One of the things you could overhear a lot in these areas is "I only went to school until 4th grade and I did just fine".

I think that is what is most sad about this. There are parents who are celebrating this for their own kids.

Don't forget when a Republican from another state said he believes school children should have to get jobs to pay for their own school lunches.

NotSpaghetti Sat 29-Mar-25 19:18:51

There is at least one Republican who is speaking out about it.
I heard him yesterday (think it was yesterday)

GrannyGravy13 Sat 29-Mar-25 18:54:35

One set of our co-grandparents live between here and Florida, they are appalled and seriously considering selling up and staying in UK full time.

Syracute Sat 29-Mar-25 18:42:27

This is not yet a law that has been passed in Florida . I do hope there are more sane congress men and women that do not vote for this unhinged measure !

Frenchgalinspain Sat 29-Mar-25 15:58:33

Child slavery.

He should send his 2 daughters and son to do these illegal labours instead of other people´s children.

He should also be impeached. He is another psychopath.

Wyllow3 Sat 29-Mar-25 15:55:04

Totally predictable too. How did they imagine the work would be done? An absolute disgrace.

BlueBelle Sat 29-Mar-25 15:53:58

Why should immigrant workers be given all the crap or dangerous jobs … they are for the most part just poor people seeking a way to improve themselves

BlueBelle Sat 29-Mar-25 15:52:25

Up the chimneys lad

foxie48 Sat 29-Mar-25 15:34:10

No problemNotSpaghetti I just wish more people in Florida thought like us. The last time I was there I was so shocked by the poverty there, parts are like a third world country.

NotSpaghetti Sat 29-Mar-25 15:03:59

youtu.be/Bgd5hajoWws?si=n4Qf2YPlMF4wToig

Local news report