U.S. Sees Alarming 88% Surge in Child Labor Violations Since 2019

In Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) reported a significant surge in child labor violations, marking an 88% increase since 2019. The agency concluded 955 investigations, uncovering nearly 5,800 minors employed in violation of labor laws across various industries, including meat processing, fast food, and manufacturing.

This alarming trend has brought renewed attention to the enforcement of child labor laws and the responsibilities of employers to protect young workers.

Notable Cases Highlight Systemic Issues

One of the most egregious cases involved Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), a Wisconsin-based company providing sanitation services to meat processing facilities. In November 2022, the Department of Labor filed a complaint against PSSI after discovering that the company had employed at least 31 children, aged 13 to 17, in hazardous occupations. These minors were tasked with cleaning dangerous powered equipment during overnight shifts at facilities operated by JBS USA and Turkey Valley Farms. Some of the children suffered injuries, including caustic chemical burns. In response, the department sought a nationwide temporary restraining order and injunction to halt PSSI's unlawful practices.

By February 2023, the investigation expanded, revealing that PSSI had illegally employed at least 102 children across 13 meat processing facilities in eight states. The company was fined $1.5 million, the maximum penalty allowed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, with each minor-related violation incurring a penalty of $15,138. Major clients, including Cargill, Tyson Foods, and JBS, terminated contracts with PSSI at several plants following these revelations.

In another case, multiple McDonald's franchisees were penalized for illegally employing more than 300 minors, including two 10-year-olds working late hours. These violations underscored the prevalence of child labor issues within the fast-food industry.

Government Response and Enforcement Initiatives

In response to the surge in violations, the Department of Labor launched a National Strategic Enforcement Initiative on Child Labor to address this critical issue. The department also entered into an agreement with JBS USA, wherein the meatpacking company agreed to contribute $4 million to aid those impacted by illegal child labor practices. As part of the agreement, JBS committed to hiring a child labor compliance specialist and establishing an ethics hotline for anonymous reporting of compliance issues.

Jessica Looman, the agency's wage and hour administrator, emphasized the importance of proactive measures: "While these enforcement results show we're holding more employers accountable for exploiting kids, they also show there's still work to do to prevent children from being exploited in the first place."

Societal Implications and Corporate Accountability

The significant increase in child labor violations highlights the exploitation of vulnerable populations, particularly undocumented migrant children, in hazardous industries. The involvement of major corporations and their contractors in these violations raises questions about corporate responsibility and the effectiveness of internal compliance mechanisms.

Some states have moved to relax child labor laws to address staffing shortages, further complicating the issue and potentially increasing the risk of exploitation. For instance, Arkansas passed a bill eliminating age-verification requirements for minors under 16 to work, and Iowa approved a bill extending legal working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Conclusion

The resurgence of child labor violations in the United States serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent enforcement of labor laws and corporate accountability. As the Department of Labor continues its efforts to combat these violations, it is imperative for businesses to implement robust compliance measures to protect the welfare of young workers and prevent future infractions.