No. Child labor under age 14 is prohibited in Alabama under both federal and state law, with no exceptions for employment. The Alabama Department of Labor enforces strict prohibitions, aligning with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Alabama’s Child Labor Laws, which bar minors under 14 from all forms of employment. Violations trigger penalties under Alabama Code § 25-8-30 et seq., including fines up to $1,000 per offense.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Alabama
- Absolute Prohibition: Alabama Code § 25-8-31 explicitly bans employment for children under 14, with no agricultural or domestic work exceptions.
- Work Permit Requirements: Minors aged 14–15 must obtain a work permit from the Alabama Department of Labor before employment, though permits are unavailable for those under 14.
- Enforcement Oversight: The Alabama Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division conducts unannounced inspections, particularly in high-risk industries like agriculture and family-owned businesses, with 2026 compliance audits targeting repeat violators.
Federal oversight supplements state enforcement, as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division monitors compliance with the FLSA’s child labor provisions. Alabama’s 2024 amendments to § 25-8-33 further restrict hazardous occupations for minors under 16, including machinery operation and late-night shifts. Employers violating these provisions face civil penalties escalating with repeat offenses, per Alabama’s 2025 enforcement guidelines.