With child labor violations on the rise across the country, West Virginia lawmakers want to make it easier for kids to

[ck4829]

Workforce challenges you say? Raise pay? increase benefits? Tax credits for hiring the unemployed? Nah, put more children into the workforce!

With child labor violations on the rise across the country, West Virginia lawmakers want to make it easier for kids to work

West Virginia lawmakers focused on the state’s workforce challenges have prioritized passing a bill this session to remove work permit requirements for 14 and 15-year-olds.

The measure would replace the existing permit, which requires school approval, with a simple age certificate from the state Division of Labor and written parental consent.

Labor advocates say eliminating those permits weakens protections for young workers and could set a dangerous precedent for child labor rights in the state, opening the door for exploitation.

“In my professional experience, I’ve never heard one single complaint about the process in place for 14 and 15-year-olds to obtain a permit,” said Josh Sword, president of the West Virginia AFL-CIO. “I have no idea where this is coming from.”

https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/03/12/labor-permits-child-work/

[Irish_Dem]

1. If they cut SS, older people will be forced back to work as well.

[underpants]

2. Jesus. Education is always the best you can you do for yourself

Not necessarily college but at least have a high school degree. I don’t know the numbers but I’d guess nice someone starts working, getting used to the money, and the family gets accustomed to the money coming in a lot of people will quit going to school.

My family is from WV. Education was the route for my mom’s generation to go from abject poverty (Huntington not Appalachia) to real wealth for some of my aunts and uncles. At one point I think my brother and I were the only ones in our extended family including people marrying in who hadn’t gone to Marshall.

Sen. Byrd got money poured into WV for healthcare and education. It helped. Everyone is still on their own but there were opportunities other than one person working in or around the mines in some way and supported their extended family.

[Phoenix61]

3. Child labor laws weren't pushed to help children.

They were pushed to protect wages. Not surprised they are tryin to get more kids working.