AG cites Burger King and Popeyes franchise operators across Massachusetts $2+ million for violating child labor laws, other worker rights – Fall River Reporter

BOSTON – Citations Issued Against Burger King Franchise Operator for Violating Employment Laws

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) of Massachusetts has issued citations against Northeast Foods LLC, the operator of multiple Burger King franchise locations in the state. The citations, totaling approximately $2,029,754, include restitution for unpaid wages and penalties.

Settlement Reached with Popeyes Franchise Operators

The AGO has also reached a settlement with Amish Parikh and Ashish Parikh, owners of 19 Popeyes franchise locations in Massachusetts. The settlement resolves allegations of child labor law violations and violations of the Earned Sick Time Law. As part of the settlement, the AGO issued $212,516 in citations against the Popeyes operators, including restitution for affected workers and penalties.

Enforcement of Workplace Laws

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell stated, “Our workplace laws exist to provide crucial rights and protections to our workforce. My office will continue to enforce these laws to protect and empower workers, including young workers who contribute to their communities and gain new skills and experiences.”

Violations of Wage and Hour Laws

The AGO alleges that the Burger King franchise operator violated Massachusetts’ wage and hour laws by failing to pay minimum wage and make timely payments to workers. Some workers were not paid at all. The operator also failed to allow workers to earn and use sick time as legally required, maintain accurate payroll records, and provide requested documentation to the AGO.

Child Labor Law Violations

In addition, the AGO alleges that the franchise operator violated Massachusetts’ child labor laws by scheduling minors for work during prohibited hours and exceeding the daily working hour limit for workers aged 16 and 17.

Investigation and Previous Violations

The AGO initiated an investigation based on a complaint from a Burger King worker regarding nonpayment of wages. The investigation revealed that nearly 2,000 employees at Burger King locations operated by Northeast Foods LLC were impacted by the alleged violations. This is not the first time the company has been cited for violations. In 2017 and 2022, Northeast Foods LLC was cited for multiple child labor law violations at various Burger King locations, and in 2019, the company was cited for failing to maintain a legally required earned sick leave policy at a Burger King location in Marlborough.

Massachusetts Employment Laws

Massachusetts’ wage and hour laws require employers to comply with certain requirements regarding employee pay and recordkeeping. These requirements include minimum wage, timely payments within six days after the end of a pay period, and payment for all time worked.

The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law grants workers the right to earn and use up to 40 hours of job-protected sick time per year. Workers accrue one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Massachusetts’ child labor laws impose restrictions on minors in the workplace, including limitations on work hours and types of jobs allowed based on age. Minors aged 16 and 17 are not permitted to work for more than nine hours a day, six days a week, and 48 hours a week. More information on work hour restrictions for minors can be found on the AGO’s website.

AGO’s Fair Labor Division

The AGO’s citations against the Burger King franchise were handled by Assistant Attorney General Amy Goyer and Supervising Investigator Jennifer Pak of the Fair Labor Division. The settlement with the Popeyes franchise operators was handled by Assistant Attorney General Drew Cahill and Investigator Christina Proietti, also of the Fair Labor Division.

AGO’s Efforts to Protect Workers

In September, AG Campbell released the AGO’s annual Labor Day Report, highlighting the Fair Labor Division’s work in protecting employees. The division assessed over $31.5 million in restitution for unpaid wages and penalties during the past fiscal year. AG Campbell also highlighted over $4 million in child labor-related restitutions and penalties secured by the Fair Labor Division during her administration’s 10th anniversary of the Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Program.

Filing Complaints and Seeking Information

Workers in Massachusetts who believe their workplace rights have been violated can file a complaint with the AGO’s Fair Labor Division. More information about employment laws and assistance in multiple languages is available on the AGO’s website.

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 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article are related to violations of employment laws, including child labor laws, minimum wage violations, and failure to provide sick leave. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities, is also relevant as the violations mentioned in the article can contribute to unequal treatment and exploitation of workers. Additionally, SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, is relevant as the Attorney General’s Office is enforcing the laws and ensuring justice for the affected workers.

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 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are as follows:
– Target 8.7 is relevant as the violations of child labor laws mentioned in the article indicate the need to eradicate the worst forms of child labor.
– Target 8.8 is relevant as the violations of labor rights, such as failure to pay minimum wage and provide sick leave, highlight the importance of protecting labor rights and ensuring safe working environments.
– Target 10.4 is relevant as the violations mentioned in the article contribute to inequalities in the treatment of workers, emphasizing the need for policies that promote greater equality.
– Target 16.3 is relevant as the Attorney General’s Office is enforcing the laws and ensuring equal access to justice for the affected workers.

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 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex and migrant status.
• Indicator 10.4.1: Labor share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
• Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:
– Indicator 8.7.1 can be used to measure progress in eradicating child labor by tracking the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor.
– Indicator 8.8.1 can be used to measure progress in protecting labor rights and ensuring safe working environments by tracking the frequency rates of occupational injuries.
– Indicator 10.4.1 can be used to measure progress in achieving greater equality by tracking the labor share of GDP.
– Indicator 16.3.1 can be used to measure progress in promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice by tracking the proportion of victims of violence who report their victimization to authorities.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fallriverreporter.com