Current Events > Late Stage Capitalism is wanting 14 year olds to fix the 'labor shortage'

(+) Yeah! (+)

Wisconsin's Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would allow 14 and 15-year-olds to work until 11 p.m. on some days much later than current laws allow.

Supporters of the bill say it could help plug the state's labor shortage.

Wisconsin currently sticks to federal child-labor laws, which stipulate that people under the age of 16 can only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day, and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for the rest of the year.

The proposed bill would allow this group to instead work from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on days before a school day, and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. when the next day isn't a school day.

It has now been sent to the Wisconsin Assembly for approval.

The bill would keep in place federal rules limiting teens to three hours of work on a school day, eight hours on non-school days, and six days of work a week.

In testimony to the state's Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform in June, Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Amy Loudenbeck said that the bill would help small businesses during the busy summer months.

"Businesses throughout the state see a massive increase in traffic during the summer tourist season, so much so that it can be difficult to find employees to work odd hours and seasonal times," they said. As a result, businesses often hire young people, they said.

Felzkowski and Loudenbeck said that the current legislation meant some businesses choose to close early because their young staff can't work late at night.

Hotel and tourism industry lobbyists are in favor of the bill, but it's opposed by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, a federation of unions.

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association said in June that it supported extending workers hours for teens to help solve staffing issues. CEO Kristine Hillmer said that restaurants across the state had been boosting wages because of their struggle to find staff, noting that some entry-level dishwashers were starting at $15 an hour or higher.

The Wisconsin Assembly sent Gov. Tony Evers a bill on Thursday that would allow teenagers to work longer hours during the busy summer tourism months.The measure passed on a voice vote is backed by Republicans and the states hotel, restaurant and grocery industries, but opposed by Democrats and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. The state Senate also passed it on a voice vote in October.

The country is regressing and returning to the gilded age. Won't be long before kids are in the coal mines again.

Wisconsin has in incredibly small population. I wonder if any of that factors in?

I regret not working when I was 14

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association said in June that it supported extending workers hours for teens to help solve staffing issues. CEO Kristine Hillmer said that restaurants across the state had been boosting wages because of their struggle to find staff, noting that some entry-level dishwashers were starting at $15 an hour or higher.

Oh, well we wouldn't want that! Child labor is definitely the way to go.

The measure passed on a voice vote is backed by Republicans and the states hotel, restaurant and grocery industries, but opposed by Democrats and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO

I was not studying all of my time out of school.

nah that's overrated shouldve just worked all I could while staying sane and invested everything with Mr. Dow while my parents were covering all my expenses.

not everyone who works at 14 fails high school couldve cut out time watching tv episodes i already saw

If I could do things over I would work as early as I could.

you apparently have no idea what working at 14 and the jobs you could do actually entails

showing your ignorance hard

Let's see 14 year olds can be babysitters

Let's see 14 year olds can be babysitters, camp counselors, tutor younger students...What's so horrible about that?

They're not forced to work they're choosing to work.

The solution to the "labor shortage" is to pay people a living wage.

But how will those poor CEO's and shareholders earn more money?!

oh you believe minors can consent?

@BilalPowell

Ah so that's where you're going.

What do you mean? Are you ignorant about how things work?
Kids can't just apply for a job because they cannot give consent to work at a job. Their parents have to.

I literally did exactly that when I was 15 so IDK what the fuck you're talking about

Sounds like there are too many restaurants.

What country or state are you in?

Georgia (at the time I got my first job at any rate)

Minimum Age to Work in GA
Georgia (GA) Quick Reference Table
AgeSummary of Requirements14-15Work Permits are necessary for all workers under the age of 16.16-17Work Permits are unnecessary, though age-related restrictions remain in place.18-20Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption21Able to serve alcohol for consumption. No restrictions.

Work Permit Procedures
While the local school district supplies minors with work permit applications during the academic term, summer time employees may be curious about how to get a work permit in the summer. The following information can help teenagers get employment certificates outside of school.
Do you need a work permit during summer?
All minors under 16 years of age must have a work permit in order to gain employment in Georgia.
Where can I get a work permit besides school?
Underage job hopefuls can find youth work permit forms online at Georgias Department of Labor website.
How do I get a work permit during summer?
Find the Georgia Department of Labor page online and click the View All Online Services link.
Under the Youth Work Permit section, click on the Minor link.
Fill in Social Security number and Date of Birth, then click submit to begin the application process.
Complete the forms in order to receive a Minor Security Key for accessing the teens online application.
Give the security key code to a potential employer.
The employer will fill out Employer section of application and register it with the Department of Labor after hiring the minor.

What Do I Need to Apply for a Work Permit?
Remember, each state has its own set of rules and regulations, but in most cases you will need:
an application in which you provide personal information such as your Social Security number and date of birth
proof of a recent physical or a doctor's note
identification documents such as a birth certificate, passport, driver's license, state issued photo ID, or passport, and
the signature of your parents or guardian on the application.

Regressive country

Technically correct

Technically correct, considering this is how it was in the 50s.

This will be vetoed by the governor, thankfully

the GOP gerrymandered a near supermajority in our legislature and our governor who actually represents the will of the people has been vetoing all of these GOP theater bills

I cant raise a kid in that environment