The Meat Institute takes on child labor

The Meat Institute Takes Action Against Child Labor

The Washington D.C.-based Meat Institute, formerly known as the “North American Meat Institute,” has made a commitment to address the issue of child labor.

Best Practices Shared with Government Agencies

Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute, stated that all members of the organization agree that meat and poultry production facilities should not employ children. The Meat Institute has shared its newly released “best practices” with both the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture.

Potts acknowledged that existing government programs are insufficient to solve the problem of child labor. The Meat Institute is ready to collaborate with the federal government to develop effective programs and, if necessary, penalties to ensure that underage workers are not part of the workforce.

Addressing the Influx of Undocumented Minors

The Meat Institute highlights that hundreds of thousands of migrants, including an increasing number of unaccompanied minors, are entering the country illegally each month. This influx has led to the hiring of child labor, both knowingly and unknowingly, in the meat and poultry industry. Many of these jobs involve food safety tasks, such as cleaning dangerous equipment.

To combat this issue, the Meat Institute has developed best practices to prevent child labor. These practices are particularly important given the rising number of undocumented minors and the prevalence of identity theft and fraud.

Improving Age and Identity Verification

The Meat Institute has taken steps to educate its member companies on improving age and identity verification. This educational programming includes the involvement of outside experts and legal counsel to educate companies on topics such as false identification, trafficking, lessons learned from previous violations of child labor laws, and new programs and technology to detect identity fraud.

Workforce Age Verification

At the core of the Meat Institute’s campaign against child labor is a 7-page document outlining “Workforce Age Verification” best practices. The document emphasizes that children have no place in meat or poultry packing or processing facilities. The Meat Institute’s member companies strictly prohibit the hiring of anyone under 18, including subcontractors.

Corporate Commitment and Government Programs

The Meat Institute emphasizes that a corporate commitment to preventing illegal child labor is crucial. This commitment should include implementing a supplier code of conduct for third-party contractors. Additionally, companies should participate in voluntary government programs like the E-verify program for new hires. Managers and supervisors should also be encouraged to report any suspected child labor immediately.

Major Wage Violation Settlement for Poultry Workers

In a significant settlement for U.S. poultry workers, a federal court in Los Angeles has entered a consent judgment ordering Fu Qian Chen Lu, Bruce Shu Hua Lok, and others as owners and operators of a network of California poultry processors and distributors to pay $4.8 million in back wages and damages to 476 workers. They are also required to pay $221,919 in penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

The settlement further mandates that the employers give up $1 million in profits earned from the sale of goods produced through oppressive child labor. Additionally, they must pay assessed penalties of $171,919 for their child labor violations. The judgment follows a temporary restraining order that prohibited the shipment of goods produced through child labor and required the employers to relinquish all profits related to such shipments.

Lu and his associated companies supply poultry products to various distributors, including Diamond Green Diesel, Diamond Pet Foods, Foster Farms, Mars Pet Care, Perfection Pet Foods, and Superior Food. They also supply several Nevada hotels and casinos, including Caesar’s Palace, The Mirage Hotel and Casino, The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, and the Casablanca Casino and Virgin River Hotel and Casino in Mesquite.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 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 (relevant for the issue of child labor in the meat industry).

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18 (relevant for the issue of child labor and exploitation).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article addresses the issue of child labor in the meat industry and highlights the efforts of the Meat Institute to combat this problem. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The issue of child labor in the meat industry is directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Target 8.7 specifically addresses the eradication of forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. The Meat Institute’s efforts to prevent child labor align with this target.

The article mentions that the Meat Institute has developed “best practices” to prevent child labor and has shared them with government departments. These practices include improving age and identity verification, educating member companies on false identification and trafficking, and participating in voluntary government programs like E-verify for new hires. These actions contribute to the achievement of Target 8.7.

The article also indirectly refers to Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor. The Meat Institute’s focus on preventing child labor implies a commitment to reducing the number of children involved in such work in the meat industry.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issue of child labor and exploitation is also connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Target 16.2 specifically addresses the need to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.

The article mentions that child labor is hired both knowingly and unknowingly in the United States, and many meat and poultry businesses are involved. This indicates a violation of children’s rights and their exposure to potential exploitation. The efforts of the Meat Institute to prevent child labor align with Target 16.2.

While the article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to SDG 16, Indicator 16.2.3 measures the proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18. Although not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of child labor and exploitation can be associated with various forms of violence against children, including sexual violence.

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Fuente: foodsafetynews.com

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