Perdue Farms has agreed to pay $4 million in restitution after the U.S. Department of Labor found that the company employed children in hazardous occupations at its Accomac, Virginia plant. The violations included allowing children to work past 7 p.m. during the regular school week and engaging them in dangerous tasks such as deboning chicken using electric knives, which is in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Department of Labor emphasized the significance of Perdue Farms' influence in the poultry processing industry and commended the company for taking steps to address child labor issues not only within its facilities but also on a broader scale. As part of the agreement, Perdue Farms will provide restitution to the affected children, organizations supporting child labor victims, and contribute to prevention efforts. Additionally, the company will pay a $150,000 fine.
