U.S. Sees Surge in Child Labor Violations Amid Corporate Accountability Efforts

In recent years, the United States has experienced a significant surge in child labor violations, particularly within hazardous industries such as meatpacking. This trend has prompted intensified enforcement actions, substantial corporate settlements, and legislative efforts aimed at protecting minors from exploitation.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), fiscal year 2023 saw 955 investigations uncovering child labor violations, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. These investigations revealed nearly 5,800 minors employed in violation of labor laws, an 88% rise since 2019. Consequently, the DOL assessed over $8 million in penalties, reflecting an 83% increase from the prior year. dol.gov

A notable case involved JBS USA, the nation's largest meatpacking company. In January 2025, JBS USA agreed to a $4 million settlement with the DOL following investigations that uncovered the employment of minors in hazardous conditions at its facilities. The settlement funds are designated to prevent illegal child labor and support affected individuals, with a focus on communities where JBS operates, including Guntersville, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Ottumwa, Iowa; Worthington, Minnesota; and Grand Island, Nebraska. agriamerica.com

In addition to the financial settlement, JBS USA committed to several compliance measures:

• Holding third-party contractors and service providers accountable for illegal child labor practices.
• Implementing policies to prevent future violations.

These steps aim to enhance oversight and prevent future violations within the company's operations. agriamerica.com

Prior to the JBS settlement, other companies in the meatpacking industry faced penalties for child labor violations. In February 2023, Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), a major cleaning service provider for food processing companies, was fined over $1.5 million for employing more than 100 children in hazardous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across eight states. The minors, aged 13 to 17, were found using dangerous cleaning chemicals and equipment.

These incidents have spurred legislative responses. In October 2023, Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Preventing Child Labor Exploitation Act. The proposed legislation aims to prevent the U.S. government from contracting with companies that have violated child labor laws and seeks to empower the DOL to compile a list of violators ineligible for federal contracts.

However, some states have moved in the opposite direction. For instance, Indiana has faced criticism for loosening child labor laws amid a national increase in violations. Legislation such as Senate Bill 146 and House Bill 1093 have eased restrictions on minors' working hours and the types of jobs they can perform, raising concerns about potential exploitation and harm to young workers.

The surge in child labor violations in the United States has illuminated critical gaps in corporate accountability and regulatory enforcement. While federal initiatives and corporate settlements signal progress, the persistence of these violations underscores the need for sustained vigilance and comprehensive reforms to protect minors from exploitation in the workforce.