SENATE BILL: Fair Labor Standards Act of 2013 (Redraft at Vote)

[tmthforu94]

I have several problems with Section 7. The first is banning internships from the past (and requiring those companies to reimburse their unpaid interns), which is what Clause 1 and 2 would do. I think it's completely wrong to punish companies for doing something that was completely legal at the start of this year. Unpaid interns knew exactly what they were getting into when accepting the internship.

...Which brings me to my second main objection, which wipes out most of the section - banning unpaid internships. Don't get me wrong - unpaid internships aren't ideal. Most students get stuck doing at least one during their college career. Thankfully, though, businesses are pretty flexible with what you do during the intership, as well as what your hours are and the time frame of the internship. It provides an EXCELLENT educational opportunity for the student, as well as provides them with experience to attain paid internships later on, as well as employment.

In a perfect world, this section would be great. But this isn't a perfect world - if this were to be enacted, the number of internships in Atlasia would plummet, creating an environment where securing an internship would be based on who you know, rather than what you've done. We're sending our students into the workforce with less and less experience, making it even harder for them to secure a job. Speaking as a college student, I know I'm speaking in the best interest of students when expressing these concerns.

[tmthforu94]

It isn't ridiculous, it's the reality of what your "pro-labor" reforms would actually create.

My friends, as most of you would probably agree to, an unpaid internships is most certainly not slavery. An individual makes the personal decision to accept an unpaid internship for the educational experience and employment opportunities that it will open up. As I stated, companies do not "force" unpaid interns to do anything - they have a major say in their responsibilities and control how much and when they work.

There are compromises I would be willing to make if a majority of Senators agree, such as requiring that all unpaid internships count for college credit and requiring that businesses cover transportation costs. Stripping unpaid internships puts the student at an unfair advantage, especially lower-income students, as attaining internships and employment out of college will come down to who you know rather than what you've done. Passing this would be counteractive.

I hope my fellow Senators will engage in a serious discussion over the various sections of this legislation, rather than just throw out petty insults and dismissive statements. This piece of legislation will have great effects on our economy, both good and bad, and a real discussion is needed.

[tmthforu94]

Amendment:

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This amendment removes the clauses that would require companies to pay those interning prior to the passage of this law. Companies simply shouldn't be forced into this when they had no knowledge of this law when lending out the internships - that's not how the government should work. Secondly, this amendment removes the government takeover of prisons - I'm willing to hear an argument on a government takeover or tighter regulations, but the language in this clause is too vague and I think it would be more appropriate as a separate piece of legislation addressing prison reform. I would be more than happy to work with Senator TNF and others on that.

[tmthforu94]

Don't forget the two amendments Senator Maxwell introduced!

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

I was able to save up quite a bit of money by working at a grocery store during my junior and senior years of high school that I have been able to use to help pay for college, reducing the debt when I graduate. In the interest of students trying to reduce their college debt, I strongly oppose this amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Should something like this ever pass, I know it would be very frustrating to the youth in our nation.

Nay

[tmthforu94]

Individuals at that age should be able to make their own conscious choice on whether they wish to earn money for nice things/saving for college or simply focus on academics. Unfortunately, not all of us have the means to pay for college with no debt. Find a financially sustainable way to provide higher education for free and I would be happy to revisit this topic.

[tmthforu94]

Nay

[tmthforu94]

I still have several qualms with this legislation, particularly unpaid labor, but seeing how none of them have much of a chance in passing, I'll wait for Maxwell's amendment before introducing anything.

[tmthforu94]

I support this amendment and urge my fellow Senators to adopt it.

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

New text:

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[tmthforu94]

In regards to child labor, how would you feel about prohibiting those fourteen and younger from working, allow it for 16+, and for 15, only allow a limited number of hours per week? My suggestion would be less than four hours per day and less than twelve hours per week, which is what I believe the law is in Indiana. While I supported Maxwell's amendment as a whole, I am also weary of clause six, though I think we primarily oppose it for different reasons (court involvement for me).

[tmthforu94]

Since I haven't been able to get a response from TNF yet, I object to the amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Nay

[tmthforu94]

Since this was ignored the first time I posted, my question for TNF:

In regards to child labor, how would you feel about prohibiting those fourteen and younger from working, allow it for 16+, and for 15, only allow a limited number of hours per week? My suggestion would be less than four hours per day and less than twelve hours per week, which is what I believe the law is in Indiana. While I supported Maxwell's amendment as a whole, I am also weary of clause six, though I think we primarily oppose it for different reasons (court involvement for me).

[tmthforu94]

Nay

[tmthforu94]

Proposing an amendment:

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Funny, I was in the process of writing this as you made your response. Are you okay with the above amendment? If so, I'll add in the section on working age.

[tmthforu94]

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[tmthforu94]

Nay, only due to section seven.

[tmthforu94]

Abstain

[tmthforu94]

Oh good Lord...


Switching my vote to Aye to get this passed.