Tennessee-based Sanitation Company Fined for Illegal Employment of Minors in Meat Processing Facilities
A federal investigation has revealed that Fayette Janitorial Service LLC, a sanitation company based in Tennessee, illegally hired at least two dozen children to work in dangerous meat processing facilities in Iowa and Virginia. As a result, the company has agreed to pay over half a million dollars in penalties.
Violation of U.S. Law and Hazards in Meat Processing Plants
Under U.S. law, it is prohibited for companies to employ individuals under the age of 18 to work in meat processing plants due to the associated hazards. The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Monday that Fayette Janitorial Service LLC has entered into a consent judgment, agreeing to pay nearly $650,000 in civil penalties and to cease employing minors. The investigation indicated that as of December 12, at least four children were still working at one Iowa slaughterhouse.
Underage Workers at Perdue Farms and Seaboard Triumph Foods
The Labor Department alleged that Fayette employed 15 underage workers at a Perdue Farms plant in Accomac, Virginia, and at least nine underage workers at Seaboard Triumph Foods in Sioux City, Iowa. These young workers were involved in sanitizing dangerous equipment in hazardous conditions where animals are killed and rendered, including head splitters, jaw pullers, and meat bandsaws.
Consequences and Actions Taken
One 14-year-old worker was severely injured while cleaning the drumstick packing line belt at the Virginia plant. In response to the investigation, both Perdue Farms and Seaboard Triumph Foods terminated their contracts with Fayette. As part of the consent judgment, Fayette will hire a third-party consultant to monitor compliance with child labor laws for at least three years and conduct trainings. The company is also required to establish a hotline for reporting concerns about child labor abuses.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The case highlights the importance of addressing child labor violations, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. SDG 8 aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. By enforcing child labor laws and holding companies accountable, progress can be made towards achieving this goal.
Increasing Awareness of Child Labor Violations
The Labor Department has been drawing attention to a growing list of child labor violations across the country. These include the fatal mangling of a 16-year-old worker at a Mississippi poultry plant, the death of a 16-year-old in an accident at a sawmill in Wisconsin, and the illegal employment of over 100 children by Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) in meatpacking plants. PSSI paid over $1.5 million in civil penalties. The latest statistics from the Labor Department indicate an 88% increase in the number of children being employed illegally in the U.S. since 2019.
-With reporting from Amanda Gerut
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the illegal employment of underage workers in meat processing facilities, which relates to the goals of promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and ensuring peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The article highlights the violation of child labor laws and the employment of underage workers in hazardous conditions, which aligns with Target 8.7 of eradicating the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions the need to address child labor abuses, which relates to Target 16.2 of ending exploitation and violence against children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
The article mentions the illegal employment of underage workers, indicating a violation of child labor laws. This can be measured using Indicator 8.7.1, which tracks the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. Additionally, the article highlights the need to address child labor abuses, which can be measured using Indicator 16.2.1, which tracks the number of victims of human trafficking and exploitation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: fortune.com
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