News

The United States Department of Labor is sending a strong signal to companies violating child labor laws: the days of nominal fines is over.

In a case involving a manufacturer of parts for John Deere, Toro and Yamaha products, the USDOL not only issued fines of $296,000, they ordered the company to put aside $1.5 million of their profits–30 days worth–to compensate children employed illegally. The company, Tuff Torq Corp, was found to have “subjected 10 children to oppressive child labor.”

Matt Capece, a representative of UBC General President Douglas McCarron called the “discouragement” penalty a potentially “powerful deterrent” that has been rarely used until now.

USDOL Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman said that “even one child working in a dangerous environment is too many. Over the past year, we have seen an alarming increase in child labor violations, and these violations put children in harm’s way. With this agreement, we are ensuring Tuff Torq takes immediate and significant steps to stop the illegal employment of children. When employers fail to meet their obligations, we will act swiftly to hold them accountable and protect children.”

Though the case did not involve construction, Capece said that the action sets a powerful precedent that could be used where young immigrant workers have been found on building sites.