Bristol restaurant fined more than $150,000 for child labor violations

Violation of Child Labor Laws at Bristol Restaurant

A Bristol restaurant is facing a fine of more than $150,000 for violating child labor laws. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Homestead Restaurant & Tavern allowed a 15-year-old to use a blowtorch during food preparation and allowed another 15-year-old to clean a meat slicer. More than a dozen minors were found working outside the permitted hours, including two 13-year-old bussers. The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits employers from hiring children under the age of 14. The Homestead Restaurant & Tavern has signed a compliance agreement to strengthen child labor safeguards and prevent future violations at all its locations. “The compliance agreement we reached with Homestead Restaurant Inc. ensures staff and management at its four locations understand all federal child labor requirements. It also protects young workers by providing them with safe and healthy working conditions for years to come,” said Steven McKinney, Wage and Hour Division district director.

Violation Details

• A 15-year-old was allowed to use a blowtorch during food preparation.
• Another 15-year-old was allowed to clean a meat slicer.
• More than a dozen minors, including two 13-year-old bussers, were found working outside permitted hours.

Legal Prohibition

The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits employers from hiring children under the age of 14.

Compliance Agreement

The Homestead Restaurant & Tavern has signed a compliance agreement to strengthen child labor safeguards and prevent future violations at all its locations.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 4: Quality Education – By preventing child labor, the compliance agreement ensures that young workers are not deprived of their right to education.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The agreement promotes safe and healthy working conditions for young workers, contributing to decent work and economic growth.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The compliance agreement upholds federal child labor requirements, promoting justice and strong institutions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issue highlighted in the article is the violation of child labor laws by the Homestead Restaurant & Tavern. This issue is connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific target under SDG 8 that can be identified is 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.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the article highlights the violation of child labor laws by allowing minors under the age of 14 to work and engage in hazardous tasks such as using a blowtorch and cleaning a meat slicer. This violation can be measured using Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmur.com