California poultry firms to pay $4.8M for violating child labor laws
California poultry companies enter into settlement after child labor, wage investigation Agri-Pulse
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California Poultry Processors and Distributors Settle Labor Violation Case
Members of a network of California poultry processors and distributors have agreed to pay $4.8 million in back wages and damages and give up $1 million in profits after a Labor Department investigation found child labor and wage violations.
Child Labor and Wage Violations Uncovered
Children as young as 14 were found using “razor sharp” knives to debone poultry in businesses associated with Fu Qian Chen Lu and Bruce Shu Hua Lok, according to a Labor Department press release. The Labor Department also said the businesses had deprived “hundreds of workers nearly $2 million in overtime wages.”
Consent Judgment Approved
The consent judgment was approved by Sherilyn Peace Garnett, a U.S. district judge in the Central District of California.
Defendants Named in Consent Judgment
The businesses named as defendants in the consent judgement document include:
- A1 Meat Solutions
- Lotus Plus
- Lotus Poultry
- Farmers Process
- Durfee Poultry
- Cameron Zhong Lu
- L & Y Food
- JRC Culinary Group
- Moon Poultry
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Retaliation and Obstruction Allegations
Supervisors at the facilities, the press release says, retaliated against the workers after the Labor Department investigation began in January, “telling them they put the ‘noose around their own necks’ for talking to the department and calling them derogatory slurs, as well as changing the terms of employment.” The release also accuses the defendants’ previous lawyer of ignoring subpoenas and trying to “obstruct the investigation.”
Settlement Terms
The defendants, according to the settlement, agreed to:
- Pay $1.8 million in back wages
- Pay $3 billion in damages to workers
- Give up $1 million in profits from selling goods linked to child labor
- Pay $171,919 in child labor penalties
- Provide training on the Fair Labor Standards Act to all managers and supervisors
- Hire an independent third-party to monitor compliance with the FLSA and the terms of the consent judgment at their facilities
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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 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | 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 |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The issue of child labor and wage violations in the poultry processing industry is connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions retaliation against workers and derogatory slurs, indicating a violation of workers’ rights and potential inequalities in the workplace. This connects to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities within and among countries.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article mentions obstruction of the investigation by the defendants’ previous lawyer, indicating a lack of accountability and access to justice. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
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
The issue of child labor in the poultry processing industry aligns with Target 8.7 under SDG 8. This target specifically addresses the need to eradicate forced labor and eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
The mention of derogatory slurs and potential inequalities in the workplace suggests a need for responsible migration policies that ensure safe and fair treatment of workers. This connects to Target 10.7 under SDG 10.
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
The obstruction of the investigation by the defendants’ previous lawyer highlights a lack of equal access to justice. This aligns with Target 16.3 under SDG 16, which focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice.
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 related to the identified targets. However, potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets include:
– Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group
– Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination
– 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
These indicators can help track the prevalence of child labor, assess the fairness of recruitment practices, and measure the level of trust and accessibility of justice systems.
4. 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 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | 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 |
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Fuente: agri-pulse.com
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