Four minors found working at Alabama poultry plant run by firm found responsible for teen’s death

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Introduction

Recent federal court filings by the U.S. Labor Department have revealed that four minors, as young as 16, were allegedly discovered working overnight at an Alabama slaughterhouse owned by Mar-Jac Poultry. This company was previously found directly responsible for the death of a 16-year-old worker in Mississippi last summer.

Company Response and Legal Actions

Mar-Jac Poultry’s Stance

Mar-Jac Poultry has denied knowingly hiring minors at its Jasper, Alabama facility, asserting that the workers had verified IDs showing ages older than 17. The company also argued that some of the jobs performed by these workers are not prohibited by federal regulations.

Labor Department’s Actions

The U.S. Labor Department is seeking a temporary restraining order against Mar-Jac as part of the ongoing legal dispute. The department has emphasized that most slaughterhouse work is too dangerous for minors and is prohibited by federal regulations.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The employment of minors in hazardous conditions directly contravenes SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• The Labor Department’s actions align with the goal of eradicating child labor in all its forms by 2025.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• The enforcement of labor laws and regulations supports SDG 16, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions at all levels.
• Ensuring that companies comply with federal regulations helps build trust in institutions responsible for upholding labor rights.

Details of the Allegations

According to court documents, the Labor Department’s investigation into the Alabama facility began with a complaint in March of this year. In May, 20 Labor investigators conducted a surprise inspection and verified that at least four workers were minors.

Specific Job Roles

• The job performed by two workers in the “rehang department” involves lifting and hanging chilled chicken carcasses and is not prohibited by federal regulations.
• Another job where a worker used a knife to cut wings from carcasses on a conveyor belt is also not prohibited.

Verification Processes

Mar-Jac stated that the workers were verified through the government’s E-Verify system. Once the Labor Department identified them as minors, they were immediately terminated. The company emphasized that these workers were hired directly by Mar-Jac and not through a third-party staffing company.

Previous Violations and Industry Response

Death in Mississippi

In January, OSHA found Mar-Jac responsible for the death of 16-year-old Duvan Perez at its Hattiesburg, Mississippi facility. Perez died instantly when his body was sucked into a machine he was cleaning during the night shift. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mar-Jac.

Industry Best Practices

The Meat Institute recently released a “best practices” document for meat processing companies, emphasizing that minors should not be employed in slaughterhouses. The National Chicken Council also stated that the poultry industry has zero tolerance for hiring minors and has formed a Task Force to Prevent Child Labor.

Conclusion

The ongoing legal actions against Mar-Jac Poultry highlight significant concerns regarding child labor in hazardous industries. These actions underscore the importance of adhering to SDGs, particularly those focused on decent work and strong institutions. Ensuring compliance with labor laws is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations and fostering sustainable development.

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SDG Analysis of the Article

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

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• 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: 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, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
  • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• 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.
  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

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

• Indicators for SDG 8:
  • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age.
  • Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex and migrant status.
• Indicators for SDG 16:
  • 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 conflict resolution mechanisms.
  • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.

4. Findings Table

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Fuente: nbcnews.com

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