Federal authorities are looking into poultry giants Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods after allegations of employing minors.
The companies have reportedly hired migrant children for overnight shifts in meat-processing plants.
A recent report published by The New York Times magazine highlighted the issue.
Read More: Investigations Launched Into Tesla’s “Secret Project”
Perdue and Tyson have pledged their cooperation with the federal investigation.
They said they were unaware of children working in their plants, as cleaning tasks are typically outsourced to sanitation firms.
The Labor Department has confirmed investigations at a Tyson plant and a separate Perdue plant, both located in Virginia.
Under a concept known as joint employment, these firms could be held responsible for the labor practices of their contractors, a practice that has precedent.
David Weil, former administrator of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division during the Obama administration, noted the precedent of holding companies accountable for their contractors’ labor violations.
Read More: 3M Settles $9.6 Million Probe Over Sales To Iran
He emphasized this principle of joint employment has been applied in similar cases.
Perdue said it has not received notification of an investigation but intends to fully comply with any government inquiries.
The company maintains longstanding policies to prevent minors from engaging in hazardous work in accordance with the law.
Perdue said it holds its suppliers to the same high standards and is currently auditing its child labor prevention and protection processes, along with those of its contractors.
As of now, Tyson representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
Read More: UK Data Watchdog Probes Snapchat’s Handling Of Underage Users
In late 2022, the Labor Department reported the illegal employment of dozens of minors by Packers Sanitation Services, a sanitation services contractor, for cleaning meat-processing plants in Minnesota and Nebraska.
The investigation revealed several children suffered chemical burns and other injuries during their work.
This inquiry encompassed plants owned by JBS USA Holdings and Turkey Valley Farms.
The contractor, Packers Sanitation Services, said it prohibited the employment of those under 18.
The agency said it had previously undergone multiple Labor Department audits with no issues found.
Looking to boost your online brand? Create your FREE business profile at WhatBiz? here.
JBS USA said it collaborated with a third party to audit sanitation providers at its facilities upon learning of the allegations.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
The company emphasized zero tolerance for child labor, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions.
Turkey Valley expressed its expectation that contractors would foster a safe work environment.
The company said it’ll adhere to federal and state labor laws while conducting an internal review.
The New York Times magazine article featured a 14-year-old boy from Guatemala who suffered a serious injury while working at a Perdue plant in Virginia.
The boy’s arm became entangled in a conveyor belt during an overnight shift cleaning machine, resulting in severe injuries, as detailed in the article.
