Violations of Minnesota's Child Labor Laws Included in Significant Penalty

Providing job opportunities for young individuals creates a mutually beneficial scenario. It's fantastic that they can gain a sense of responsibility while also making some income, and companies stand to gain by potentially alleviating issues related to workforce shortages.

However, all need to remember that there are special rules in place for employers hiring young employees, which the federal government has put in place to protect these vulnerable workers.

Unfortunately, whether done deliberately or not, businesses or their partners don't always follow those rules. When this happens, there are often massive fines for companies found violating federal child labor laws, and that has recently happened involving a major U.S. company that has a facility in Minnesota.

Company Ordered to Pay $4 Million Following Violations of Federal Child Labor Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that JBS USA Food Co., the nation’s leading meat-packing processor and slaughterhouse with over 37,00 employees nationwide, has agreed to pay $4 million to assist individuals and communities affected by unlawful child labor practices nationwide.

This came after U.S. Department Of Labor investigations discovered that JBS’s third-party service providers employed children in dangerous jobs and during overnight shifts at the company’s facilities in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska.

The agreement requires JBS to ensure that essential aspects of its supply chain, as well as third-party contractors and service providers, are held responsible for the issue of illegal child labor. Additionally, they are tasked with developing a focused advertising campaign aimed at educating the public about the dangers and prevalence of unlawful child labor practices.

JBS has announced a commitment of $4 million to combat illegal child labor and assist victims across the country, with a special focus on the communities of Guntersville, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Ottumwa, Iowa; Worthington, Minnesota; and Grand Island, Nebraska.

The funds might also offer direct support to impacted individuals and community groups through scholarships, stipends, and educational resources. This includes aiding community organizations in financing positions for English as a Second Language instruction, literacy programs, job training, and housing assistance.

Alongside creating a $4 million fund dedicated to supporting victims of child labor and