CALIFORNIA – Federal officials have uncovered more cases of child labor at McDonald’s restaurants after recently revealing that 305 minors, including two 10-year-olds, were illegally employed at franchise locations.
The recent infractions involve 83 minors at 16 McDonald’s franchise locations in Louisiana and Texas, according to findings from the U.S. Department of Labor investigations shared in a press release on July 25.
In Louisiana, the McDonald’s franchise CLB Investments LLC had 72 minors, aged 14 and 15, working beyond legally permissible hours and later than allowed. Additionally, three employees under 16 were assigned work considered hazardous for young workers: operating a deep fryer, which federal law prohibits.
These infractions occurred at 12 McDonald’s restaurants in Kenner, Jefferson, Metairie, and New Orleans.
In Texas, the McDonald’s franchise Marwen & Son LLC violated similar child labor restrictions at restaurants in Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Leander.
The employer allowed 10 minors, aged 14 and 15, to work long and late hours in violation of federal law and had seven other young workers assigned to hazardous tasks: working on a deep fryer, an oven, and operating a trash compactor, according to the Department of Labor.
As a result, the agency has imposed a civil penalty of $56,106 on CLB Investments and a civil penalty of $21,466 on Marwen & Son LLC for child labor violations, according to the statement.
Tiffanie Boyd, McDonald’s Director of Human Resources, stated in a release on July 26, “These reports do not reflect the high standards we hold for every McDonald’s restaurant.“
“We take this issue seriously and are committed to ensuring our franchisees have the necessary resources to maintain compliance with all U.S. labor laws.“
Chris Bardell, the franchise representative in Louisiana, told McClatchy News in a statement on July 26 that he has taken steps upon learning of the child labor violations.
“I have implemented mandatory training on child labor law for my restaurant managers and have conducted regular audits to ensure we comply with labor regulations,” Bardell said.
McClatchy News attempted to reach Marwen & Son LLC for comment on July 26.
The child labor infractions in Louisiana and Texas were uncovered by investigators from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Among the child labor rules: minors aged 14 and 15 may work “no more than 3 hours on a school day and no more than 8 hours on a non-school day,” according to the Department of Labor. Additionally, these young workers can only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except during the summer.
“Employers should never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education,” said Betty Campbell, Regional Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, in Dallas, in a statement.
These findings come after the Department of Labor announced in May that three Kentucky-based franchisees had to pay $212,000 in fines for 305 minors illegally working.
