Tennessee Company Fined $650K for Child Labor Violations in Meat Plants

Fayette Janitorial Service LLC faces severe penalties after employing minors in hazardous conditions at meat processing facilities.

Federal investigation reveals at least 24 children, including a 14-year-old, were employed to clean dangerous equipment at meat plants in Iowa and Virginia.
Children as young as 13 worked overnight shifts, handling corrosive cleaners and dangerous machinery.
One minor suffered severe injuries; the company has been mandated to hire a third-party monitor for compliance with child labor laws.
Child labor violations in the U.S. have surged, with a 69% increase reported by the Department of Labor since 2018.
Fayette Janitorial to implement new training programs and a reporting hotline as part of a consent judgment to prevent future violations.