The full House has approved a bill that removes the requirement that businesses must provide minor workers a 20-minute break if they work for five consecutive hours. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says the policy prevents teens from landing work with some businesses.
“The disincentive to hire 17 and 16-year-olds is why the obstacles on the business need to be removed, not to make it better for the business, it makes it better to hire the kids,” Wilder said.
Opponents are concerned about over working 16 and 17-year-olds. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says Mississippi does not have a mandatory break for minors and there no major problems.
“If there was a disparity of kids dying or something crazy that would be a different story, but that is so false,” Wilder explained.
Wilder says there are minors who are eager to work and the state should not hold them back or prevent businesses from working them more than five consecutive hours.
“When you go out to eat, how many times have you gone to Chili’s and half the restaurant has tables that are open but they tell you, you have to wait for an hour because there’s no service staff. There’s nobody wanting to work.” Wilder said.
The House approved Wilder’s bill 61-37 and the measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.
