Massachusetts Attorney General Cites 3 Franchisees for Child Labor Violations – franchisetimes.com
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The State of Massachusetts Reaches Settlement with Franchisees for Violating Child Labor Laws
The state of Massachusetts has reached a settlement with three franchisees for violating the state’s child labor laws. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced that the state has cited Cafua Management Company, a Dunkin’ franchisee; The Brewster Company, a McDonald’s franchisee; and Knight Food Service, a Subway franchisee.
Violation Citations and Fines
The citations against the franchisees amount to a total of $226,385 in fines. In Massachusetts, underage employees are allowed to work a maximum of six days a week, nine hours a day, and 48 hours each week.
- Cafua Management Company: Cafua reportedly failed to obtain the proper work permits for its teenage employees from February 2020 to February 2023. Cafua operates more than 80 Dunkin’ units and is required to pay $140,000 in penalties.
- The Brewster Company: This eight-unit McDonald’s franchisee also failed to obtain proper work permits for employees under the age of 18 and allowed them to work longer than the state limit of nine hours a day. The franchisee has to pay $63,930 in penalties.
- Knight Food Service: Massachusetts also cited multi-unit Subway owner Knight Food Service for the same violations as Brewster and Cafua. Knight also reportedly didn’t provide meal breaks for minors who worked more than six hours a day, as required by state law. The operator was fined $22,455.
None of the franchisors immediately responded to requests for comment.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They aim to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges and promote sustainable development worldwide.
Relevance to the Article
- SDG 4: Quality Education – The violation of child labor laws highlights the importance of ensuring quality education for all children and promoting their rights to a safe and healthy learning environment.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The enforcement of child labor laws contributes to creating decent work opportunities and promoting inclusive economic growth.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their rights are upheld helps reduce inequalities and promote social justice.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Enforcing labor laws and holding violators accountable contributes to building strong institutions and promoting justice and peace within society.
Past Child Labor Violations
Franchisees nationwide have been charged with violating child labor laws in recent years.
- An eight-unit Baskin Robbins franchisee in Utah reportedly allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside permitted hours. The United States Department of Labor fined the franchisee, Jode LLC, $49,833 in 2024.
- Earlier last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry fined a 21-unit Wendy’s franchisee $300,000 for 766 reported violations. GCWen Management was also required to complete training on the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act to learn how to follow its laws.
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction in 2023 that forbids John and Jessica Meza, former Subway operators, from violating the state Fair Labor Standards Act. Meza operated stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. Per court judgment, the operators were required to sell or shut down their 14 Subway stores and pay 184 workers $475,000 in wages, another $475,000 in liquidated damages, $12,000 in punitive damages, and $150,000 in penalties.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education | None mentioned in the article |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 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 | None mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | None mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
– 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.
– Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Source: franchisetimes.com
