The U.S. Department of Labor, under President Donald Trump , announced an ambitious plan to repeal or rewrite more than 60 labor regulations deemed "obsolete" by the administration.

The proposed measures would affect sectors such as construction, mining, entertainment , and migrant workers, home health workers, and people with disabilities .

Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated that the goal is to ease the regulatory burden on employers and boost productivity. "We are proud to lead the largest regulatory cut in the federal government," she declared.

However, unions and labor rights advocates warn that these changes would put millions of workers , especially women, migrants, and people of color, at greater risk.

Main proposed changes

The right to minimum wage and overtime pay would be eliminated for 3.7 million home health care workers if they are not protected by state laws. The change would reverse a 2013 regulation passed under the Barack Obama administration.

Requirements such as mandatory seatbelt use in employer-provided transportation would be waived , and safeguards against retaliation for reporting abuses would be eliminated. Organizations like Farmworker Justice warn that these measures would leave migrants even more vulnerable .

The requirement for adequate lighting at construction sites would be repealed , arguing that it doesn't significantly reduce risks. Safety experts point out that poor lighting is a frequent cause of fatal accidents.

The authority of regional mine safety officials to mandate improvements in ventilation, cave-in prevention, and training programs in coal mines would be limited. The administration believes these decisions should be passed through Congress.

One of the most controversial proposals limits the scope of the federal occupational safety agency ( OSHA ) to sanction employers in activities deemed "inherently hazardous ," such as extreme sports, animal shows, or entertainment. The measure would exempt employers of actors, athletes, dancers, and journalists from liability.

While business and conservative groups celebrate the proposal as a step toward efficiency and cost reduction, labor and human rights organizations denounce a historic setback in worker protections .

“Too many people are already dying on the job. This will only make the problem worse,” warned Rebecca Reindel , director of workplace safety for the AFL-CIO.