WORT 89.9FM Madison · Child Labor On The Rise In Wisconsin

On February 16, Kieler, Wisconsin – based Packers Sanitation Services paid a one point five million dollar fine to U.S. Department of Labor for violating federal child labor law.  The meat packing cleaning company illegally employed over 100 minors as young as 13, across 8 states, to use caustic chemicals and clean dangerous meat cutting equipment.  Packers Sanitation is only one of many companies across the nation trying to fill vacancies with child labor.  State and federal regulatory agencies report a sharp increase in child labor law violations since 2018.  Kate McCoy is the Program Supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program.

“Supported by Child Labor” cartoon by W.A. Rogers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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