Trump Labor Dept Proposes Major Workplace Deregulation, Critics Alarmed/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. Labor Department under President Trump has proposed eliminating or revising over 60 workplace regulations, including those covering wages, lighting, and mine safety. Officials claim the changes will reduce red tape and encourage job growth. Critics warn the rollbacks could endanger workers, particularly women and minorities.
Workplace Deregulation: Quick Looks
- More than 60 workplace rules targeted for repeal or revision
- Home health workers may lose minimum wage, overtime rights
- Proposal eliminates seatbelt requirement for migrant farmworker transport
- Construction sites could no longer need mandatory lighting
- Mine safety oversight reduced by limiting manager authority
- OSHA may lose power to penalize risky professional activities
- Labor Department says goal is economic growth through deregulation
- Critics say changes risk lives and weaken worker protections
- Women and minorities likely to be disproportionately affected
- Public comment period required before changes take effect
Trump Labor Dept Proposes Major Workplace Deregulation, Critics Alarmed
Deep Look
NEW YORK (AP) — In a sweeping attempt to dismantle workplace regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor, under President Donald Trump, has proposed repealing or rewriting more than 60 federal rules aimed at protecting workers in various sectors, from health care and agriculture to construction and mining.
The proposals—framed as a bold push for economic deregulation—were unveiled this month by Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who lauded them as the most aggressive anti-red tape initiative across the entire federal government. Supporters claim the reforms will reduce business costs and stimulate job creation. Critics, however, say the changes will place millions of workers in greater physical and economic danger.
“The Department of Labor is proud to lead the way by eliminating unnecessary regulations that stifle growth and limit opportunity,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
Rolling Back Worker Protections
One of the most controversial changes would affect 3.7 million home health care workers, many of whom are women of color. A proposed rule would roll back 2013 protections enacted during the Obama administration, allowing employers to pay these workers below minimum wage and deny overtime unless otherwise covered by state laws. The Labor Department argues this could lower costs and expand access to in-home care.
But labor advocates strongly oppose the move.
“These workers already perform dangerous, undervalued jobs,” said Judy Conti of the National Employment Law Project. “Reversing fair wage protections is not the solution.”
Not all groups oppose the change. The Independent Women’s Forum, a conservative nonprofit, applauded the proposal, arguing it would make caregiving more affordable and help women manage family responsibilities.
Protections for Migrant Farmworkers at Risk
The Trump administration also seeks to repeal safeguards for H-2A visa holders, a vulnerable group of migrant farmworkers. These include removing requirements for seatbelts in employer-provided transportation and stripping protections against employer retaliation for reporting abuse or misconduct.
“Farmworkers have a long history of being retaliated against for speaking out,” said Lori Johnson, attorney at Farmworker Justice. “This proposal will only worsen that reality.”
Conversely, Michael Marsh, president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, said employers were being “buried in thousands of pages of new rules” and welcomed the effort to ease the burden.
Construction and Mine Safety on the Chopping Block
In construction, the Labor Department wants to eliminate a regulation requiring adequate lighting on job sites, arguing it doesn’t meaningfully reduce risk. But safety advocates disagree.
“Falls, injuries, and fatalities happen in dark or poorly lit spaces,” said Rebecca Reindel of the AFL-CIO. “This standard exists for a reason.”
Proposals impacting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) include removing district managers’ authority to mandate changes to ventilation plans, roof collapse prevention, and training programs — protections critical to the high-risk coal mining industry.
The administration argues these decisions should be made by Congress, not regulatory staff.
OSHA’s Enforcement Authority to Be Curbed
Another controversial proposal would narrow OSHA’s ability to use its “general duty clause” to punish employers when workers are injured doing inherently risky jobs, particularly in entertainment, sports, or media fields.
This could apply to a wide range of professions, including NFL athletes, NASCAR drivers, stunt performers, and journalists, effectively shielding employers from liability if someone is hurt during work deemed inherently dangerous.
“Removing OSHA’s ability to act in these cases is dangerous and short-sighted,” said Debbie Berkowitz, former OSHA chief of staff under President Obama.
Public Input and Political Ramifications
All 60+ proposed rules must go through a public comment period, and many are expected to face legal challenges from labor unions, safety groups, and Democratic state attorneys general.
Critics say the deregulation effort aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda of weakening the administrative state, but warn that lives will be at stake.
“This administration is rewriting the rules to benefit employers at the expense of workers,” said Samantha Sanders of the Economic Policy Institute. “It’s a dangerous shift that particularly harms women and communities of color.”
What’s Next?
The Labor Department has not set a firm deadline for implementation, but insiders say the administration hopes to push through as many changes as possible before the 2026 midterm elections. The sweeping nature of the proposals marks one of the most significant regulatory rollbacks in decades.
Unions and labor watchdogs are preparing for a fierce legal and political battle, warning that the dismantling of workplace protections could have long-lasting implications for worker rights, safety standards, and public health.
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