Shocking Revelation of Child Labor in McDonald’s Restaurants Raises Serious Concerns
Investigations by the US Department of Labor have revealed that more than 300 children, some as young as 10 years old, are affected. In one case, investigators found that two 10-year-olds worked unpaid until 2 a.m. at a McDonald’s restaurant in Louisville, operated by Bauer Food LLC based in Louisville, according to a press release by the authority.
The two children prepared food orders, distributed them, cleaned the store, worked at the drive-thru window, operated a cash register, and, according to investigators, one of them even operated a fryer, a task prohibited by federal law for workers under 16 years old.
Most of the restaurants, 45 out of 62, were located in Kentucky, as indicated by the data released by the authority.
The two 10-year-olds were among at least 305 children employed in 62 McDonald’s restaurants in Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio, in violation of federal labor laws, operated by three franchisees – Bauer Food LLC, Archways Richwood LLC, and Bell Restaurant Group I LLC, according to the Department of Labor.
Bauer Food LLC stated that the two 10-year-olds, who were allegedly employed at the McDonald’s restaurant, were children of a night manager who were visiting their parents at work and were not allowed to stay in that part of the restaurant by the franchisee’s management.
The franchisee stated that they have taken measures to ensure that the guidelines for children visiting a parent or guardian at the workplace are clear to all employees.
“These reports are unacceptable, deeply disturbing, and go against the high expectations we have for the entire McDonald’s brand,” said Tiffanie Boyd, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at McDonald’s USA, in a statement. “We are aware of the significant responsibility we have to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone under the arches.”
The federal agency imposed a total penalty of approximately $212,000 on three of the operators.
Increase in Child Labor
Several states have repealed child labor laws under pressure from conservative groups. A bill in Ohio would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during the school year, which is later than allowed by federal laws. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas enacted a law in March that removes the requirement for 14- and 15-year-olds to obtain a work permit before starting paid employment. Bills to loosen child labor laws are also circulating in Minnesota and Iowa.
In February, the Biden administration announced an initiative to combat child labor, focusing on industries that frequently employ low-wage workers and migrant workers who are often exploited.
The initiative comes at a time when an increasing number of child labor violations are attributed to the tight labor market and the high number of children entering without their parents from Latin America.
