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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-693-0023
Bowerman Blueberries, Ltd., of Holland, Mich., was fined $11,175 for
violations of the federal child labor laws that led to the death of a
9-year-old Grand Rapids boy, the Labor Department announced today. The minor,
who was employed to pick blueberries, was accidentally run over by a truck
driven by his father in July. The boy and another child hired by the grower
were below the minimum age for employment established by the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA).
" This child's death emphasizes why we must stop child labor in
agriculture," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "In the fields, very
young children are exposed to life-threatening hazards. This boy's family has
experienced a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to the father especially.
I want them to know that we are working to make sure this does not happen to
other families."
The violations were discovered following an investigation conducted by
the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division. Bernard Anderson, assistant
secretary of labor for employment standards, which oversees the Wage and Hour
Division, said this fine sends a strong message to employers who violate the
law. "We place a high priority on investigations of child labor and will
continue to do so," Anderson said.
Generally, the Fair Labor Standards Act requires that young people be
at least 12 years of age before they may be employed as hired farmworkers. It
also requires that those farmworkers who are 12 or 13 years old provide written
parental consent or work only on farms where a parent is also employed. These
minors may only work outside of school hours and in nonhazardous jobs.
Different child labor standards exist for nonagricultural employment.
The FLSA permits a fine of up to $10,000 for each employee who is the
subject of a child labor violation. The maximum penalty is usually assessed
when the violation contributes to the serious injury or death of a child. For
more information about the child labor provisions or the FLSA, contact the Wage
and Hour Division office listed in the blue pages of your local telephone
directory.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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