The Department of Labor has filed lawsuits against three California poultry processors alleging violations of child labor law. The Wages and Hours Division has been reviewing plant employment records and conducting inspections uncovering “oppressive child labor at poultry processing facilities.” According to the submissions by the Department of Labor the three companies concerned employed children under the age of 18 to debone poultry in contravention of child labor laws.
Defendants include L&Y Food Inc., Moon Poultry Inc. and JCR Culinary Group Inc. and their three respective managers in their personal capacities.
The Department of Labor was granted an injunction embargoing products from the plants although there was evidence that the restraining order was defied. The Agency alleged that the defendants obstructed investigations including review of employment data.