Florida Wants to Replace Undocumented Workers with Children

In a shocking move to address the labor shortage, Florida is considering putting children to work to replace undocumented migrants. Ron DeSantis, the state's governor, is pushing a bill that would allow teenagers to work night shifts even on school days. A throwback to the old days when young people were exploited without mercy.

Faced with the employment crisis, Florida proposes a radical solution: allowing children as young as 14 to work night shifts. A shock for families and a regression for children's rights. Ron DeSantis defends this measure by claiming it addresses the labor shortage, without considering the moral implications.

A controversial project

The Florida Legislature has already passed this bill in committee. If the text is adopted, teenagers will be able to work night shifts on school days, a revolution that could disrupt the lives of thousands of young people. Extreme measures to address a worsening employment crisis.

Facilitating youth employment is not new in Florida. In 2024, a law already allowed 16 and 17-year-olds who are homeschooled to work at any time of the day. But this time, Florida is going even further by removing work time restrictions for 14 and 15-year-olds and guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Unscrupulous employers

With these signals from the authorities, some employers have not waited to exploit children like adults. The number of child labor violations in Florida has almost tripled in recent years, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics relayed by CNN.