Multiple news outlets, including PBS, The Washington Post, and The Associated Press, reported that the U.S. Department Of Labor is aiming to rewrite or repeal over 60 workplace regulations. These reports cite a statement from Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, describing the initiative as the “most ambitious proposal to slash red tape of any department across the federal government.”

The proposed changes cover regulations like minimum wage requirements for home health care workers, standards for exposure to harmful substances, and safety procedures in industries such as construction and mining. The goal, according to the DOL, is to reduce costly and burdensome rules to align with President Donald Trump’s deregulation agenda.

While the exact list of all 60+ changes is not fully detailed in available sources, several significant proposals have been highlighted across reports for their potential impact on workers and industries. The following are notable among the proposed changes.

– – Reversal of Minimum Wage and Overtime Protections for Home Health Care Workers: The proposal would reverse 2013 regulations under President Barack Obama, reverting to a 1975 framework. This could allow an estimated 3.7 million home health care workers to be paid below the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and lose eligibility for overtime pay in states without equivalent protections.

– – Elimination of Retaliation Protections for Migrant Farmworkers: The DOL proposes to reverse a 2024 rule protecting H-2A migrant farmworkers from retaliation for actions like filing complaints or participating in investigations. It also includes rescinding a requirement for seat belts in employer-provided transportation for agricultural workers.

– – Removal of OSHA’s Construction Site Lighting Requirement: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plans to rescind a rule mandating adequate lighting at construction sites, arguing it doesn’t significantly reduce risks. OSHA would rely on its “general duty clause” to address lighting deficiencies.

– – Limiting OSHA’s Authority in High-Risk Entertainment and Sports:OSHA proposes to limit its “general duty clause” from penalizing employers for injuries or deaths in “inherently risky” activities like movie stunts, animal training, or sports (e.g., NFL punt returns, NASCAR racing). The DOL argues Congress didn’t intend OSHA to regulate such activities.

– – Reduction of Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Oversight: The proposal would strip MSHA district managers of authority to mandate improvements to mine ventilation or roof collapse prevention plans, arguing this oversteps Congressional intent by allowing unelected officials to create rules without public comment.

– – Repeal of Affirmative Action Requirements for Apprenticeships: The DOL plans to eliminate affirmative action requirements for apprenticeship programs, which aimed to increase diversity and inclusion in training opportunities.

These changes stand out due to their broad reach across industries (healthcare, agriculture, construction, mining, entertainment), their potential to affect millions of workers (e.g., 3.7 million in home care), and their implications for safety, wages, and worker protections. Critics, including labor unions and advocacy groups, argue they disproportionately harm vulnerable populations like women, minorities, and migrant workers, citing increased risks of injury, death, or exploitation. Supporters, including conservative groups and industry leaders, argue they reduce compliance costs and foster economic growth.

The 60+ proposals require public comment periods and further stages before implementation, meaning they’re not yet written, published and finalized.