Democratic Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work without parental consent or a state permit. The bill, supported by all Republicans in the Legislature and opposed by Democrats, aimed to ease restrictions on child labor laws in the state. This move was part of a broader effort by state lawmakers to relax regulations around child labor, despite federal efforts to crack down on child labor violations nationwide. However, Evers vetoed the bill, stating that increasing the number of child workers is not a viable solution to address workforce issues. He expressed concerns about eliminating protections that ensure children are safeguarded from exploitation and dangerous working conditions.
The Republican backers of the bill argued that removing the need for work permits would reduce bureaucratic hurdles for employers and teenage job seekers, ultimately benefiting the state’s workforce. However, opponents, including organized labor groups, contended that without a permit system, there would be no mechanism in place to safeguard the health and safety of children in the workforce. The proposed change would not have altered existing regulations governing the number of hours minors can work or prohibiting them from taking on hazardous jobs. By vetoing the bill, Evers upheld the importance of protecting young workers and ensuring that they are not subject to exploitation or harm in the workplace.
During his veto announcement at a meeting of the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists in Madison, Evers emphasized the significance of maintaining safeguards for minors in the workplace. Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, supported Evers’ decision and highlighted the critical role of the work permit process in preserving parental rights and ensuring the safety of young workers. She warned against weakening child labor laws, citing concerns about the increased risk of harm to children working in hazardous conditions. This veto is part of Evers’ broader efforts to prioritize the well-being and protection of Wisconsin’s young workforce and maintain essential safeguards to prevent exploitation and dangerous working conditions for minors.
This veto marks the second time Evers has rejected legislation aimed at easing restrictions on child labor laws in Wisconsin. In 2017, then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill eliminating work permit requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds, a move supported by fellow Republicans. The bill vetoed by Evers would have extended this exemption to 14- and 15-year-olds, expanding the scope of the deregulation. Last year, Evers also vetoed a bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work later hours during the summer. His repeated opposition to measures aimed at relaxing child labor laws reflects his commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of young workers in Wisconsin and ensuring that they are protected from exploitation and dangerous working conditions in the workforce.
