Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms face federal probe over possible child labor violations

Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms Under Investigation for Child Labor

The Department of Labor has launched investigations into Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms to determine if migrant children are being employed to clean slaughterhouses owned by these poultry producers. The inquiries were initiated following a published report that exposed the use of migrant kids working overnight for contractors in the companies’ facilities on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The report, published in the New York Times Magazine on September 18, highlighted the dangerous conditions these children face while cleaning equipment with acid and pressure hoses, removing blood, grease, and feathers.

Department of Labor Investigations

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is currently conducting investigations at Perdue and Tyson Foods. The details of these investigations cannot be provided at this time due to their ongoing nature.

Perdue’s Response

Perdue has expressed its shock and disapproval of the allegations. The company states that it takes the employment and safety of its workers seriously and has strict policies in place to prevent minors from working hazardous jobs in violation of the law. Perdue acknowledges the systemic nature of this issue and is committed to playing a role in finding a solution.

Child Labor Hazards at Perdue

The New York Times account included the story of a 14-year-old boy who suffered a severe injury while cleaning a conveyor belt in a deboning area at a Perdue slaughterhouse in rural Virginia. This incident highlights the dangers faced by Mexican and Central American children who cross the border alone to work in hazardous jobs.

Tyson Foods Unaware of Investigation

Tyson Foods claims to have no knowledge of any investigation and therefore cannot comment on the matter. It is important to note that these investigations come six months after the Labor Department fined a major sanitation services provider $1.5 million for employing over 100 children, aged 13 to 17, for overnight shifts at meat processing plants in eight states. Federal law prohibits minors from working in meat processing due to the increased risk of injury.

Investigations into Cleaning Crew Suppliers

The Labor Department is also investigating the companies that supply cleaning crews for Perdue and Tyson in Virginia. Fayette Industrial supplies the cleaning crew for Perdue, while QSI, a unit of the Vincit Group, supplies the crew for Tyson. QSI has expressed its willingness to cooperate with any industry investigation.

Commitment to Compliance

QSI and Fayette both emphasize their commitment to maintaining safe worksites free from child labor. QSI has implemented rigorous policies, procedures, and practices to prevent the employment of underage workers, including measures that go beyond the federal government’s E-Verify system. Fayette has also implemented additional safeguards, such as facial-recognition technology, to prevent unauthorized clock-ins.

USDA’s Response

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has employees in processing plants daily to inspect animals before and after slaughter. The USDA spokesperson stated that the use of illegal child labor, especially in dangerous tasks, is inexcusable. The agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has started retraining its frontline workers to report child workers to the Labor Department.

Increase in Dangerous Child Labor

A Labor Department report released in July revealed that nearly 4,500 children were working in jobs deemed too dangerous for minors, marking a 44% increase from the previous year. This highlights the need for stricter enforcement of child labor laws.

Conclusion

The investigations into Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms shed light on the issue of child labor in the poultry industry. These companies, along with their cleaning crew suppliers, must ensure compliance with labor laws and take proactive measures to prevent the employment of underage workers. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, emphasize the importance of eradicating child labor and promoting fair and safe working conditions for all individuals.

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 measuring progress in eradicating child labor).

2. 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 in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement (relevant for measuring progress in managing hazardous waste).

Analysis

The article highlights the issue of child labor in slaughterhouses owned by Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms. 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 is directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive 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 article highlights the use of child labor in cleaning slaughterhouses, which is a violation of labor laws and poses risks to the safety and well-being of the children involved.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The issue of hazardous waste management in slaughterhouses is connected to SDG 12, which focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Target 12.4 specifically aims to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle. The article mentions the use of acid and pressure hoses for cleaning equipment, which can contribute to the release of hazardous substances into the environment.

3. Indicators

The article does not explicitly mention indicators related to the identified targets. However, Indicator 8.7.1 can be used to measure progress in eradicating child labor by tracking the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. Indicator 12.4.1 can be used to measure progress in managing hazardous waste by monitoring the number of parties to international agreements on hazardous waste that meet their commitments and obligations.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cbsnews.com

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