1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

Open letter The proposed legislation to loosen child labor laws in Florida is highly concerning and must be rejected. Allowing children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts, even on school nights, is an exploitation of minors that prioritizes corporate profits over their wellbeing and education. This regressive move harkens back to an era when child labor was rampantly abused, putting young people at risk of injury, exhaustion, and developmental harm. While businesses may be struggling with staffing shortages, the solution cannot come at the expense of our youth. Children should be focused on their studies, growth, and enjoying their childhood – not being coerced into grueling work schedules to fill gaps left by the state's harsh immigration policies. This proposal is a desperate band-aid that fails to address the root causes of labor shortages, like the need for comprehensive immigration reform and raising wages to attract workers. Utilizing child labor is an unacceptable and shortsighted approach that betrays our values as a society. We must prioritize the rights, safety, and future of our children over corporate interests. Robust child labor laws are in place to protect the vulnerable, and rolling them back would be a moral and practical failure. Clearly, more ethical and sustainable solutions are needed to meet Florida's workforce needs.