The House will hear a bill today that would allow minors to work eight hours without a break instead of the current five. The House Labor committee has already unanimously approved the measure. Author of the bill, Shreveport Representative Raymond Crews says the current law discourages employers from hiring minors as the mandatory break can disrupt a fluid shift…
“So we have heard Taco bell owners and what-not in that area do not hire any minors just as a practice because they cannot afford to hire an extra worker so they just don’t hire any at all and that is a real problem
The law also issues employers a 500 dollar fine for violating the break requirement.
Julie Cherry with the Louisiana AFL-CIO, is concerned the bill could lead to minors not receiving breaks at all.
“It will allow there not to be and if it is convenient for an employer not to offer that it can happen.”
President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris said the current law can prevent students in the LRA’s ProStart program from getting the mandatory 400 hours of work experience. Harris says the program is meant to skill students pursuing a culinary career but…
“This one restriction has been the one barrier that we found to getting people the opportunity to complete this certificate of achievement in our jumpstart program.”
Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson says the bill may open the door for job opportunities but it also could also lead to health issues in developing children.
“We are talking about children. There have been numerous studies that say standing for five hours a day contributes to a significant and prolonged lower limb muscle fatigue and in the restaurant industry I am pretty sure all you do is stand.”
