Underage teen workers did ‘oppressive child labor’ for Tennessee parts supplier, feds say

The Department of Labor fines Tennessee parts supplier for child labor violations

The Department of Labor has fined a Tennessee parts supplier for John Deere, Toro, and Yamaha for illegally employing children as young as 14 in dangerous jobs. Tuff Torq, located in Morristown, Tennessee, will pay a penalty of $296,951 after the department’s Wage and Hour Division confirmed that the company subjected 10 children to oppressive child labor.

Background

The investigation into Tuff Torq began in 2023, but proof of the unlawful work was received on January 23, 2024, when investigators witnessed a child operating a power-driven hoisting apparatus like a forklift. It is prohibited for workers under the age of 18 to operate that type of machinery.

Settlement

In the settlement announced by the department’s Office of the Solicitor, Tuff Torq agreed to cease illegally hiring children and will set aside $1.5 million from profits made during the children’s employment. This money will go to the affected children.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 4: Quality Education – Child labor violations hinder children’s access to quality education and put them at risk.
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Eliminating child labor is essential for promoting decent work and economic growth.
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Holding companies accountable for child labor violations contributes to building strong institutions and ensuring justice.

Recent child labor violations in the U.S.

• Baskin-Robbins franchisee JODE LLC of Utah was fined $49,833 for allowing 64 employees, ages 14-15, to work too many hours and too late in the day while school was in session.
• Southern California poultry processor The Exclusive Poultry Inc. agreed to pay $3.8 million in back wages and fines for illegally employing children as young as 14 to debone poultry with sharp knives and operate power-driven lifts to move pallets.
• Three McDonald’s franchisees with a combined 62 restaurants paid fines totaling $212,544 for violating the labor rights of 305 minors, including two 10-year-olds who were not paid.
• Packers Sanitation Services Inc. paid a $1.5 million fine for employing 102 minors ages 13 to 17 in hazardous occupations at meat processing facilities in eight states.

Child labor laws in the United States

The minimum age for employment in non-agricultural jobs is 14, with restrictions on the types of jobs minors can work and the hours permitted. Some jobs for minors are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, such as babysitting and performance work in radio, TV, movies, and theatrical productions.

Tennessee’s Child Labor Act protects minors aged 14 to 17 with restrictions on hours worked and types of jobs they can do. Some states have considered loosening child labor laws, allowing teens to work more hours and in more workplaces.

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 to the issue of child labor in the article).

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 (not directly mentioned in the article, but relevant to the issue of child labor and exploitation).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article addresses the issue of child labor and highlights violations of child labor laws by Tuff Torq, a parts supplier for John Deere, Toro, and Yamaha. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

This SDG is relevant because it focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Target 8.7 specifically addresses the issue of child labor and aims to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor.

• 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 to the issue of child labor in the article).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

This SDG is relevant because it focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Target 16.2 specifically addresses the issue of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children.

• 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 (not directly mentioned in the article, but relevant to the issue of child labor and exploitation).

By analyzing the article, we can identify the relevant SDGs, targets, and indicators related to the issue of child labor and exploitation. The table summarizes these findings.

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Source: usatoday.com

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