Overview

• Federal agencies have opened investigations into Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms over allegations that the companies relied on underage migrant workers.
• The probes follow a report exposing children as young as 13 working overnight shifts cleaning slaughterhouses in hazardous conditions.
• It is illegal under federal law for minors to work in meat processing facilities due to the dangerous nature of the work.
• The investigations highlight concerns that major consumer brands may be using contractors to bypass child labor laws.
• Regulators are examining whether large corporations can be considered joint employers even if children are technically hired by third parties.