Federal labor investigators say L.A. poultry plant used child labor and tried to cover it up
Federal labor investigators say L.A. poultry plant used child labor and tried to cover it up Los Angeles Times
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report: Poultry Processing Plant Accused of Child Labor
Introduction
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order to block a poultry processing plant in Irwindale from using child labor. This article will discuss the allegations made against the plant and its affiliated companies, the actions taken by the U.S. Department of Labor, and the implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background
The U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit alleging that the poultry processor and its affiliated companies illegally employed children under the age of 18 to debone raw meat with sharp knives. The department is seeking action to force the companies to forfeit money made from selling products processed in facilities where minors were allegedly made to work in dangerous conditions.
Companies Involved
The temporary restraining order applies to three companies in the San Gabriel Valley: L & Y Food, Moon Poultry, and JRC Culinary Group. These companies are either owned, operated, or managed by Fu Qian Chen Lu, who is also named in the lawsuit.
Allegations and Actions
The Labor Department accused the companies of continuing to deliver and sell products even after agreeing to voluntarily refrain from shipping products following accusations of their use of child labor. Additionally, the companies refused to provide information to investigators and hid boxes of processed chicken and bins of chicken from them.
Dueling Narratives
The federal officials and the poultry companies have presented conflicting narratives regarding the child labor allegations. The attorney representing Chen Lu and other defendants claims that the Labor Department planted an underage worker in the facility as part of its investigation, a claim that the department has dismissed as “baseless.”
SDGs and Child Labor
This crackdown on child labor comes at a time when some of the country’s biggest consumer brands are under scrutiny for child labor in their domestic supply chains. The SDGs aim to eradicate child labor by 2025, and this case highlights the importance of addressing this issue within the manufacturing and food production sectors.
Investigation and Violations
Investigators discovered children deboning poultry at the plant during a visit on Mar. 20. The operators of the facility continued to process products, even after objections were raised by the Labor Department, in violation of federal laws prohibiting the sale of products tainted by child labor.
Judge’s Decision
U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II issued a temporary restraining order requiring the businesses to stop using child labor, provide the Labor Department with requested information, and refrain from shipping any poultry from facilities accused of employing child labor. The judge emphasized the need to prevent irreparable harm and protect minors’ safety.
Counterclaims
The attorney representing Chen Lu and other defendants alleged that the Labor Department had directed a 17-year-old to work in a hazardous area of the facility under false pretenses. The attorney claimed that the department aimed to manufacture a child labor claim to strengthen its negotiating position in an investigation about unpaid overtime wages.
Other Cases
The Labor Department has investigated other poultry processing plants in California recently. In December, grueling working conditions were found at two poultry plants operated by Exclusive Poultry Inc., owned by Tony Elvis Bran. These plants employed children as young as 14, primarily from Indigenous communities in Guatemala. The processor was ordered to pay fines and back wages.
Another investigation published in February detailed dangerous conditions for primarily Latino immigrant workers at Pitman Farms, which produces the Mary’s Free Range Chicken brand.
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 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 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.
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of children engaged in child labor in hazardous conditions.
- Indicator for SDG 12.4: Amount of waste generated by poultry processing plants and their compliance with waste management regulations.
- Indicator for SDG 16.3: Number of cases filed against companies for employing child labor and their compliance with labor laws.
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: Number of children engaged in child labor in hazardous conditions. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator: Amount of waste generated by poultry processing plants and their compliance with waste management regulations. |
| 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: Number of cases filed against companies for employing child labor and their compliance with labor laws. |
The article addresses issues related to child labor in a poultry processing plant. This is connected to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) as it focuses on eradicating forced labor and eliminating the worst forms of child labor. It is also connected to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) as it highlights the need for environmentally sound waste management in the poultry processing industry. Additionally, it is connected to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) as it emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 8.7 (eradicating forced labor and child labor), SDG 12.4 (environmentally sound waste management), and SDG 16.3 (promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice).
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets. For SDG 8.7, the indicator is the number of children engaged in child labor in hazardous conditions. For SDG 12.4, the indicator is the amount of waste generated by poultry processing plants and their compliance with waste management regulations. For SDG 16.3, the indicator is the number of cases filed against companies for employing child labor and their compliance with labor laws.
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Source: latimes.com
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