Monogram Food Solutions LLC, a national food manufacturer operating a factory in Minnesota, is facing penalties after violating child labor laws by employing teenage workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor discovered that two underage individuals, aged 16 and 17, were operating hazardous meat processing equipment at the company's Chandler factory, resulting in a fine of $30,276.
The incident came to light during a federal investigation prompted by leads obtained from a previous child labor case involving over 100 minors working in slaughterhouses across the Midwest.
Monogram Food Solutions now finds itself in the spotlight for endangering the welfare of young employees.
Monogram Food Solutions Violating Child Labor Laws
According to NBC News, the federal investigation into Monogram Food Solutions was initiated based on information obtained during a previous case involving child labor violations.
It was discovered that false identification was used by the minors to secure employment.
This alarming finding led the Labor Department to expand its investigation, resulting in the discovery of hazardous working conditions at Monogram's Chandler factory.
The 16 to 18-year-olds are permitted to work in various jobs outside the home, certain occupations deemed hazardous by the Labor Department, such as meat processing, coal mining, and roofing, are strictly off-limits.
Monogram Food Solutions violated these regulations by allowing underage workers to operate dangerous meat processing equipment.
Jessica Looman, the Labor Department's principal deputy wage and hour administrator, emphasized that the company should have never permitted children to handle such hazardous machinery.
Consequently, Monogram Food Solutions has faced penalties and must take steps to prevent further child labor violations.
Monogram's Response and Consequences
According to Just Food, Monogram Food Solutions has expressed its commitment to compliance with child labor laws and its disapproval of ineligible underage labor.
The company's spokesperson, Liz McKee, revealed that the two teens employed at the Chandler factory had used falsified identification during the hiring process.
Monogram has taken immediate action by terminating the underage workers and implementing significant changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As part of the agreement with the Labor Department, Monogram Food Solutions has agreed to hire a third-party consultant to monitor compliance with child labor laws, conduct a nationwide audit of its facilities within 90 days, and establish a toll-free number for employees seeking guidance for reporting violations.
Furthermore, as per Meat Poultry, Monogram Food Solutions emphasized its firm stance against employing underage workers and expressed complete cooperation throughout the investigation.
According to the details outlined in the consent decree and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Monogram will hire a compliance specialist to ensure the prevention of any future violations at the Chandler plant for a duration of three years, as well as at their other facility for a period of two years.
The "hot goods provision" was invoked by the Labor Department as a part of the Monogram consent decree and judgment.
This provision halted the shipment of any goods produced at the Chandler factory during the period when the underage workers were employed.
Monogram complied with the directive by withholding shipments until late April, after which the restriction was lifted upon payment of the fine and the execution of the consent order and judgment.
In light of the increasing instances of child labor violations nationwide since 2018, the Labor Department has intensified its enforcement initiatives.
Earlier this year, the department warned that it could cease the shipment of goods produced with child labor. The use of the "hot goods provision" serves as a powerful tool in curbing these unlawful practices.
