U.S Department of Labor orders El Mazatlan Inc. to pay penalties for violating child labor laws

Glasgow-based Restaurant Chain Ordered to Pay $250,000 for Violating Child Labor Laws

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WBKO) – The Glasgow-based chain of restaurants, El Mazatlan Inc., has been ordered to pay $250,000 in penalties for violating federal child labor laws.

Investigation and Violations

• The U.S. Department of Labor conducted an investigation into El Mazatlan Inc. and found several violations of child labor laws.
• They employed a 13-year-old, who was below the legal working age, and 37 other teenagers aged 14 and 15, who were working more hours than permitted by law.

Commitment to Compliance

• El Mazatlan Inc. has agreed to ensure future compliance with child labor laws.
• They will create and update child labor training materials in their management training program.

“Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up – but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs do not interfere with their education or well-being,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Karen Garnett-Civils in a press release. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for developmental experiences but restricts the hours and occupations of workers under age 16 and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law.”

Additional Violations

• Besides the child labor violations, the Wage and Hour division found that El Mazatlan Inc. illegally deducted the costs of uniforms from the wages of servers, causing their wages to drop below the federal minimum wage.
• They also failed to pay overtime to three salaried employees who were not exempt from the FLSA’s overtime requirements.

Recovery and Penalties

• Following the investigation, the division recovered $50,233 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for 168 employees.
• El Mazatlan Inc. has been held liable for significant penalties, as well as back wages and damages totaling more than $350,000.

“The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting workers’ rights and holding employers accountable when they fail to pay employees in compliance with the law,” stated Karen Garnett-Civils in a press release.

Ensuring Future Compliance

• The company has been mandated to take necessary steps to ensure future compliance with federal child labor laws.
• They are required to adhere to the regulations and guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the importance of protecting children’s education and ensuring their first jobs do not interfere with their education or well-being.

2. 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.
   • Indicator: The article highlights the violation of federal child labor laws by employing underage workers and exceeding the permitted working hours for teenage employees.
   • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the illegal deduction of uniform costs from servers’ wages, causing their wages to drop below the federal minimum wage.
   • Indicator: The employer’s failure to pay overtime to three salaried employees who were not exempt from overtime requirements.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wbko.com