An investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division found that A&J Meats, a California meat processor, and The Right Hire, its staffing agency, employed and endangered children as young as 15. According to the organization, the child workers were using sharp knives, working in freezers and coolers, and being forced to work at unpermitted times. It was discovered that children were working “more than three hours a day on school days, past 7 p.m. and more than 18 hours per week while school was in session.” These actions violate federal child labor regulations and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which prevents minors from working in dangerous occupations.   

A consent judgment filed by the DOL in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles orders the two companies to surrender $327,484 in illegal profits that were generated through the use of child labor. Additionally, the companies will have to pay $62,516 in penalties.  

What people are saying

In a recent quote, Western Regional Solicitor of Labor Marc Pilotin said, “A&J Meats and The Right Hire knowingly endangered these children’s safety and put their companies’ profits before the well-being of these minors. These employers egregiously violated federal law and now, both have learned about the serious consequences for those who so callously expose children to harm.” 

Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Ruben Rosalez added, “No employer should ever profit from exploited children. When we find children employed in violation of the law, we will take steps to ensure that we can hold all employers accountable under the law. Companies that use staffing agencies to meet their labor needs cannot escape liability for child labor violations when they are in fact also employers themselves.” 

DOL in the news

Hyundai manufacturer and partners allegedly used and profited from child labor
The DOL is asking that the profits generated by the use of oppressive child labor be surrendered since it violates the “hot goods” provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Caterpillar fined $800K over racial hiring discrimination
The company discriminated against 60 Black applicants who applied for fabrication specialist/welder positions at its Decatur, Illinois, facility.

Poultry processors pay $4.8 million for hiring children as young as 14 to work dangerous jobs
In addition, the employers were denying overtime wages to poultry- and red meatcutters and packers, and falsified payroll records.

Learn more about child labor in manufacturing

ASSP Speaks out Against Exploitative Child Labor
Group will advocate for prohibition of child labor in global standards such as the ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001 and ANSI/ASSP Z10.

Does US Manufacturing Have a Child Labor Problem?
Incidents of child labor violations in the U.S. have risen since the pandemic.

DOL Releases Annual Worst Forms of Child Labor Report
The report includes an overview of 131 countries child labor situations including trafficking, debt bondage, forced labor and hazardous work.