A food sanitation contractor has been hit with a $1.5 million fine after an investigation apparently found over 100 minors worked hazardous jobs.
The Labor Department claimed that its Wage and Hour Division discovered Packers Sanitation Services Inc. Ltd. (PSSI) had at least 102 children aged 13 to 17 in “hazardous occupations” and working overnight shifts at 13 meat processing plants in eight states, according to a press release.
The department placed a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against PSSI in November following alleged evidence obtained that at least 31 children were working dangerous overnight shifts cleaning equipment at one facility in Nebraska and two in Minnesota, according to The Hill.
One 13-year-old worker allegedly suffered burns and other injuries while on the job, according to Business Insider.
An investigation has been underway since August, according to the press release.
PSSI said in a statement to NBC News that it underwent several audits of its employees when it became aware of the allegations. The company said its audits found none of the individuals listed in the department’s report currently work at the company, noting that several left many years ago, The Hill reported.
“We have been crystal clear from the start: Our company has a zero-tolerance policy against employing anyone under the age of 18 and fully shares the [Department of Labor’s] objective of ensuring full compliance at all locations,” a PSSI spokesperson said, according to Axios.
Labor officials maintain that the violations occurred because the company ignored concerns, The Hill noted.
“The child labor violations in this case were systemic and reached across eight states, and clearly indicate a corporate-wide failure by Packers Sanitation Services at all levels,” said Jessica Looman, principal deputy administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, in a statement.
“These children should never have been employed in meat packing plants and this can only happen when employers do not take responsibility to prevent child labor violations from occurring in the first place.”
The Labor Department said the highest number of children working in hazardous jobs was in Nebraska, where 27 minors were allegedly employed at a JBS Foods facility. Also ranking near the top were Kansas, with 26 allegedly at a Cargill facility, and Minnesota, with 22 children allegedly working at a JBS Foods facility, according to the press release.
The company paid its fine on February 16, according to the press release.
