US Department of Labor reaches agreement with Perdue Farms, secures judgment against staffing agency to address child labor violations – US Department of Labor

U.S. Department of Labor Addresses Child Labor Violations at Perdue Farms

PHILADELPHIA ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into an agreement with Perdue Farms Inc. and secured a separate agreement with temporary staffing agency Staff Management Solutions LLC and SMX LLC, collectively referred to as “SMX,” to address child labor violations found in an investigation of Perdue’s poultry processing facility in Accomac, Virginia. 

Investigation Findings

Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that, as far back as 2020, Perdue Farms contracted with SMX to staff production-level jobs, and that they jointly employed children in hazardous occupations at the Accomac facility to debone and process chicken and other products using equipment such as electric knives and a heat-sealing press. The employers also permitted children to work after 7 p.m. during a regular school week. These conditions violate the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor hazardous orders and hours provisions.

The division’s investigation also determined Perdue Farms violated the FLSA’s “hot goods” provision, which prevents employers from shipping goods produced in, or about an establishment where there was illegal child labor. 

Commitment to Address Child Labor Exploitation

“The Department of Labor has and will use all available tools to address child labor exploitation. Government, industry, workers and advocates must come together to build solutions to the problem of exploitative child labor. The department’s work uncovering a systemic disregard for the safety of children resulted in meaningful commitments to stop and prevent child labor exploitation,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. 

Agreement Details

The agreement calls for Perdue Farms to pay $4 million in restitution to the children, organizations advocating for child labor victims, and to support additional work to prevent child labor exploitation. The company also agreed to pay a $150,000 civil monetary penalty.

In a separate consent judgment entered in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk, Staff Management Solutions agreed to pay a $125,000 civil money penalty and to be permanently enjoined from future FLSA child labor violations in meat processing and packing industries. 

Perdue and SMX also agreed to implement enhanced compliance measures that include the following:

• Not hiring anyone under the age of 18 in certain locations.
• Providing mandatory training on child labor for managers and employees. 
• Disciplining, up to termination, anyone who does not comply with federal child labor laws.
• Not retaliating in any way against any of its employees, including family members or guardians of minor children, because an employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to the FLSA, or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding, or has served or is about to serve on an industry committee. 
• Establishing a designated tip line for employees to report compliance issues. 
• Increasing reporting regarding compliance.

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play a significant role in addressing child labor exploitation. By taking action against child labor violations, Perdue Farms and SMX are contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 4: Quality Education. These goals aim to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as well as ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Conclusion

Joint efforts between the U.S. Department of Labor, Perdue Farms, and SMX have resulted in meaningful commitments to combat child labor exploitation. By implementing enhanced compliance measures and supporting initiatives to prevent child labor, these organizations are making progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Headquartered in Salisbury, Maryland, Perdue Farms Inc. is a food and agricultural company operating as two divisions, Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Staff Management Solutions is a subsidiary of TrueBlue, one of the largest U.S. staffing firms, based in Seattle, Washington. 

Statistics on Child Labor Violations

In fiscal year 2024, the department concluded 736 cases with child labor violations involving 4,030 children nationwide. The department addressed those violations by assessing employers more than $15.1 million in civil money penalties, an 89 percent increase from the previous year. The department continues to prioritize protecting children and currently has over 1,000 open child labor investigations. 

Workers and employers can call the division confidentially with questions and the division can speak with callers in more than 200 languages at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including child labor regulations on dangerous jobs that are prohibited for workers under age 18. 

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 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
• SDG 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles
• SDG 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?

• Number of child labor violations
• Amount of civil money penalties assessed on employers for child labor violations
• Number of open child labor investigations

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Note: The article does not provide specific indicators for SDG 4 and SDG 16.

Source: dol.gov