Crepevine’s Berkeley, Oakland locations fined for violating child labor and overtime laws
Crepevine's Berkeley, Oakland locations fined for violating child labor and overtime laws Berkeleyside
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Crepevine Cited for Violating Federal Overtime and Child Labor Laws
Introduction
After a three-year investigation, the owner of the Crepevine restaurants, with locations in Berkeley and Oakland, was recently cited by the U.S. Department of Labor for violating federal overtime and child labor laws.
The owners, Suleiman Fakhouri & Sons, based in Burlingame, must pay back wages, damages, and penalties to the tune of $552,000, according to a Labor department announcement released Tuesday.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This article highlights the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Investigation Findings
- The department investigation found that five of Crepevine’s nine restaurants underpaid workers who put in overtime hours and kept teens as young as 14 on the job beyond the legal requirements for minor employees.
Settlement Agreement
In an administrative settlement, Fakhouri & Sons agreed to pay $234,636 in back wages to 114 underpaid workers.
Crepevine also paid an equal amount in what’s called liquidated damages, or costs incurred by employees while they weren’t getting paid legally, such as for rent or child care, and $82,706 in civil money penalties.
Violations
- Failing to combine hours employees worked at more than one location.
- Paying overtime hours worked in cash at straight-time rates, when time and one-half is required.
- Failing to keep records of cash payments for overtime in its payroll records.
- Allowing 14- and 15-year-old employees to work past 7 p.m., more than 3 hours on school nights and more than 18 hours on school weeks.
- Not keeping records for several employees and not registering their hours worked and wages due.
Impact on Vulnerable Workers
“Employers such as Crepevine who employ workers at more than one location must combine the total hours worked at all locations to pay workers accurately to avoid overtime violations and, in this case, costly consequences,” said Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division District Director Susana Blanco in the press release.
“The onus is on employers to ensure their employees are paid fully and that workers receive all of the protections they are due.”
Other Violations in the Food Industry
The labor department’s Crepevine investigation started in 2019 and was completed in December 2022. Investigations are usually the result of employee or customer complaints, and sometimes focus on a specific industry.
Similar child labor violations have been reported in other food industry establishments, such as a Popeyes fried chicken franchise in Oakland and several McDonald’s restaurants in Kentucky.
Increased Scrutiny on Child Labor Violations
The news about Crepevine comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of child labor violations, triggered in part by a New York Times investigation earlier this year into the dangerous conditions faced by migrant children crossing the U.S. border for work.
Conclusion
It is crucial for employers to comply with federal labor laws to ensure the well-being and fair treatment of their employees. The Department of Labor encourages anyone with concerns or questions about workplace wage and hour issues to contact them.
By addressing violations and promoting fair labor practices, we can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
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 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses violations of federal overtime and child labor laws by the owner of Crepevine restaurants. These violations are connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions that the violations included keeping teens as young as 14 on the job beyond the legal requirements for minor employees. This issue is connected to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
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 violations of child labor laws by Crepevine restaurants align with Target 8.7, which focuses on eliminating the worst forms of child labor.
Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship
While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of underage employees working beyond legal requirements highlights the importance of providing youth with relevant skills and opportunities for decent employment, which is addressed by Target 4.4.
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, Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor, can be used to assess progress towards Target 8.7. Additionally, Indicator 4.4.1, which measures the proportion of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, can be used to measure progress towards Target 4.4.
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 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: berkeleyside.org
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