The US Labor Department is investigating allegations that migrant children worked night shifts at a meal preparation facility in Illinois, operated by Factor75, a subsidiary of meal kit company HelloFresh. At least six teenagers, including some from Guatemala, were reportedly employed at the facility as recently as last summer.
HelloFresh has confirmed an investigation into the claims and terminated its relationship with the temporary staffing agency Midway Staffing, which was accused of hiring minors for work at the facility. The Labor Department is also investigating Midway Staffing, which denies any wrongdoing and claims to have a policy of refusing to hire anyone under 18 years old.
This investigation marks the latest in a series of actions taken by the US Labor Department against companies that employ children. In recent months, the department has fined several companies for violating child labor laws, including a cleaning company in Oklahoma that was ordered to pay nearly $172,000 after hiring dozens of children to work overnight shifts at a slaughterhouse.
The allegations against HelloFresh and Midway Staffing come as the Labor Department is taking steps to increase enforcement of child labor laws. In the past year alone, employers nationwide have been fined over $15 million for child labor violations, with 736 investigations uncovering issues involving more than 4,000 children.
The investigation into HelloFresh’s subsidiary raises concerns about the company’s commitment to preventing child labor. As part of its response to the allegations, HelloFresh has stated that it has “zero tolerance” for any form of child labor and has taken steps to ensure no minors perform work in or have access to its facilities.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/business/hello-fresh-child-labor.html