The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) move to allow more 16- and 17-year-olds to work in hazardous jobs is drawing fire from Democratic lawmakers who say the proposal would put the health and safety of young workers at risk.
The DOL said its upcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, entitled, Expanding Apprenticeship and Employment Opportunities for 16 and 17-Year Olds Under the FLSA, would revise the 18-year-old minimum for hazardous work (in nonagricultural employment) set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).