Iowa State Senate Votes to Loosen Child Labor Laws
Iowa State Senate Votes to Allow Children to Work Longer Hours
In an effort to combat a labor shortage, the Iowa state senate has voted to allow children to work longer hours and serve alcohol. The bill would expand the number of hours that children under 16 can work from four to six a day, allow minors to work in previously prohibited industries if they are part of a training program, and allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol with a parent’s permission. The bill passed the state senate by a vote of 32-17, with two Republicans joining every Democrat in opposition.
Opposition to the Bill
Democrats and labor advocates have decried the bill, which they say will endanger children by allowing them to work in dangerous fields such as roofing, excavation, and demolition. Labor unions have held protests against the bill, with Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, stating that efforts to loosen child labor laws around the US were « a lazy way of dealing with the fact that certain states don’t have enough workers. » Wishman cited research that has found serious adverse effects for teenagers working more than 20 hours a week.
Conclusion
While supporters of the bill argue that it provides an opportunity for children to earn and learn, opponents argue that it puts children in danger and undermines the progress made in protecting children from dangerous work environments. As lawmakers in other states consider similar measures, it remains to be seen whether the trend of loosening child labor laws will continue.
Keywords: Iowa, child labor laws, labor shortage, dangerous work environments, labor unions.