Earlier this week, OABA submitted comments regarding the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed revisions to child labor regulations. The proposed revisions would ban youth less than 18 years of age from engaging in specific types of work at off-farm agricultural business, as well as on farms not owned or operated by their parents.
If implemented, OABA believes the proposed revisions could negatively impact the agricultural industry, rural communities and farming and ranching families across the country. Youth should be encouraged to seek careers in this growing, thriving industry, not driven away from it. Preventing youth who are capable and willing to work in agriculture and agribusiness will increase the odds that they will not choose an agricultural career later in life, which could not only lead to a shortage in qualified workers over the next few decades but could also limit the opportunities of rural youth to gain valuable experience, build confidence and strengthen their work ethic and self-worth.
In its comments, OABA also expressed concern that the proposed revisions and new interpretation of the parental exemption might be stretching the authority granted to DOL by Congress, as well as contradicts DOL’s earlier interpretations of the parental exemption.
OABA requested that the existing provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act be allowed to stand without revision. To read OABA’s full comments, click here.