Wisconsin unions pushing back against Rep. bill to loosen child labor regulations

Bill may help kids without parents, but safeguards for that already in place.

Unions are among those pushing against proposals to loosen work regulations for children in Wisconsin.

This week, the state assembly approved getting rid of mandatory work permits for 16 and 17-year-olds. Republicans say the move will help some kids without parents get jobs.  

Stephanie Bloomingdale, from the state AFL-CIO, says moving to remove the work permit mandate for 16- and 17-year-olds is a big step backwards and that the state already grants waivers for those older teens who want a job but lack parents to sign off on getting a work permit.

“Those safeguards are already in place and the bad thing about this bill is it takes away this permitting requirement for all 16- and 17-year-olds throughout the state of Wisconsin,” she said.

The state currently requires work permits for kids from ages 12-17.  

“These are laws that have been on the books for 100 years and they are intended to make sure that kids are not working in dangerous situations,” Bloomingdale said. “And also that the moms and dads have a role in deciding whether or not their child is going to work and making sure that the work is appropriate for that child.”

Proponents say dumping the work permit for older teens will make some kids from challenging backgrounds still find work.  

The work permit measure has yet to be voted on by the state senate.