Smithfield Foods, a major meat processor in the United States, has agreed to pay $2 million to settle allegations of child labor violations at its plant in St. James, Minnesota. The settlement comes after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry revealed that Smithfield Packaged Meats employed at least 11 children aged 14 to 17 at the plant between April 2021 and April 2023.
The agency found that three of the children were hired at the age of 14 and that nine of them were allowed to work beyond the permissible hours. Additionally, all 11 children were reportedly assigned to perform potentially hazardous tasks at the facility.
As part of the agreement, Smithfield has committed to taking measures to ensure compliance with child labor laws in the future. It is illegal in the U.S. for individuals under the age of 18 to work in meat processing plants due to safety concerns.
State Labor Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach emphasized that the settlement sends a clear message that child labor violations will not be tolerated in Minnesota, particularly in industries like meat processing.
Smithfield, based in Virginia, denied knowingly hiring minors at the St. James plant and stated that all 11 children passed the federal E-Verify system using false identification. The company asserted its commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and complying with employment laws, reiterating that individuals under 18 should not be employed in meatpacking or processing facilities.
The $2 million administrative penalty imposed on Smithfield is the largest recovered in a child labor enforcement action by the state agency. This settlement is part of a broader trend of addressing child labor violations in the food processing industry, with recent cases involving other companies like Tony Downs Food Co. and Packers Sanitation Services Inc.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor issued significant penalties against companies found to have employed children in hazardous roles at meatpacking plants. The Biden administration has called on meat processors to ensure compliance with child labor laws to prevent illegal hiring practices.
Recent settlements in the industry include agreements with Mar-Jac Poultry and Fayette Janitorial Service LLC, highlighting the importance of upholding labor standards and protecting young workers from dangerous environments.
Smithfield's settlement underscores the need for companies to prioritize workplace safety and adhere to regulations to prevent child labor violations in the future.
