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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that a Cincinnati
warehousing company that illegally employed undocumented minors and the
temporary help agency that supplied the underage workers have each been fined
$31,425 for violating the federal child labor laws.
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division found 26 minors under the
age of 16 working in the warehouse's processing and packaging areas. Seven of
the youths were under the age of 14; two were as young as 12 years old.
"There is no excuse for employing any children, especially 12- and
13-year-olds, in potentially dangerous surroundings where goods are being
repackaged and wrapped in shrink-wrap," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M.
Herman. "We are determined to ensure that young, vulnerable workers are
protected and that our child labor laws are observed."
The minors, undocumented workers from Guatemala, were supplied to
Chesapeake Display and Packaging, located at 9756 International Blvd.,
Cincinnati, by AccuStaff, Inc, of 1014 Vine Street, also in Cincinnati. As
joint employers of the youths, both firms were held liable for the violations.
The federal child labor laws provide a 14-year-old minimum age of
employment, except in agriculture. Minors under the age of 16 cannot be
employed in occupations in connection with warehousing and storage unless they
are employed in office or sales work.
The Labor Department's investigation was coordinated with the
Immigration and Naturalization Service. The two agencies are coordinating their
worksite enforcement responsibilities to ensure all workers are paid according
to the law and decrease the incentive for employers to hire undocumented
workers.
The companies have filed an exception to the assessment of the civil
money penalties and asked for a hearing before a Department of Labor
administrative law judge.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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