Since 2018, the U.S. Division of Labor has seen a 69% improve in kids being employed illegally by firms. Within the final fiscal yr, the division discovered 835 firms it investigated had employed greater than 3,800 kids in violation of the Honest Labor Requirements Act.
In February, DOL introduced that one of many nation’s largest sanitation providers suppliers for meals processors had employed no less than 102 kids in hazardous occupations and had them working in a single day shifts at 13 meat processing amenities owned by 9 completely different firms. Whereas this subject is just not distinctive to the meals business, it can’t be ignored that it’s a downside, and USDA is standing with our federal companions to fight it.
That’s the reason right now USDA is sending a letter to the 18 largest meat and poultry processors, representing roughly 70% of meat and poultry manufacturing by quantity, and requesting that each one actors within the meals provide chain take essential precautionary steps to stop or eradicate unlawful youngster labor. These steps embody figuring out whether or not unlawful youngster labor is getting used wherever of their provide chain, together with robust language in contracts, and adopting requirements that may higher guard towards the usage of unlawful youngster labor.
This letter is simply step one in lots of we hope to tackle this subject. We’re actively working with DOL to grasp the implications of their findings. Moreover, USDA is presently exploring enforcement mechanisms and contemplating facets of regulatory infrastructure that assist our capacity to encourage compliance and supply the required consideration and elevated oversight to curb this current pattern as rapidly as potential.
Using unlawful youngster labor—notably requiring that kids undertake harmful duties—is inexcusable, and firms should think about each their authorized and ethical obligations to make sure they and their suppliers, subcontractors, and distributors absolutely adjust to youngster labor legal guidelines. Corporations in meals manufacturing—notably these with important market energy—have to be vigilant concerning the requirements of their suppliers to assist cut back systemic violations and abuses.
USDA believes that along with the meals business and different authorities departments, we will develop significant methods to stop or eradicate unlawful youngster labor.
