BILL WOULD INDOCTRINATE CHILDREN BEFORE ISSUING A WORK PERMIT
PROVIDENCE (February 26, 2015). The National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB) opposes legislation that would require young teens
to take a course in workers’ rights prior to obtaining a work permit. “Does
Rhode Island really want to mandate indoctrination of 14-year olds who are
looking for work?” Bill Vernon, RI State Director of NFIB, asked today.
“This latest ploy to mandate a course in workers’ rights for
those entering the work force for the first time in their lives would just make
it more difficult to do business and find a job in a state that everyone agrees
must concentrate on job creation,” Vernon said. “If we are going to force
ambitious, job-seeking young people to take a course, it should focus on
entrepreneurship and a positive work ethic – showing up on time, dressing
properly, working with others, budgeting pay checks. Certainly that would be
more helpful for young teens.”
House 5472 would require 14-year olds to complete a course
on workers’ rights before a the local school committees could issue them a work
permit. “Seriously, indoctrination of young teens should never become a
prerequisite for obtaining a work permit,” Vernon continued. “For
decades, children have been seeking employment in Rhode Island and across this
nation and successfully obtaining jobs without having to take an ideologically
biased and costly course.”
