Title: Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms Face Investigation Over Alleged Child Labor Involvement
Subtitle: Department of Labor launches probes into two major poultry companies
Date: [current date]
Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms, two prominent players in the poultry industry, are currently under investigation by the Department of Labor (DOL) following allegations of child labor at their facilities. The investigations, which were confirmed by a DOL spokesperson, are currently ongoing, with no additional details provided.
The New York Times initially reported on the alleged presence of children, including migrant children, working on contracted cleaning teams at two Virginia facilities owned by Perdue and Tyson Foods. The children’s tasks reportedly involved cleaning with caustic chemicals and handling discarded chicken parts and other substances.
The New York Times Magazine highlighted an incident in which a 14-year-old Guatemalan child worker suffered severe injuries, leading to the commencement of the DOL investigations. Both Perdue and Tyson declined to comment on the probes, with the latter claiming no knowledge of them.
Perdue, in response to the allegations, emphasized its commitment to the safety and legal employment of its workers. The company stated that it had strict policies in place to prevent minors from engaging in hazardous jobs, both within its organization and among its suppliers.
According to a Perdue spokesperson, the company has initiated a third-party audit of its child labor prevention and protection procedures and has committed to undergoing compliance audits of its contractors. Perdue denounced the allegations, stating that they do not reflect the company’s values and principles.
The cleaning service providers for Perdue and Tyson, Fayette Industrial and Vincit Group’s QSI, respectively, are also under scrutiny by the DOL. Fayette Industrial claimed to have not been informed of any investigation but expressed its willingness to cooperate, while QSI committed to cooperating with any industry investigation regarding the issue.
The DOL investigations come at a time when public concern over child labor in the United States has been escalating. Recent reports have revealed a 69% increase in illegal employment of minors compared to five years ago, with over 800 companies found in violation of child labor laws in fiscal 2022.
As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen how the findings will impact the reputation and operations of Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms. Both companies will likely face increased scrutiny and pressure to address the alleged instances of child labor within their supply chains.
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