Perdue, Tyson Face ‘Unique’ Probe in Child Labor Crackdown (1)

The US Department of Labor’s rare inclusion of meatpacking giants Tyson Foods Inc. and Perdue Farms Inc. in its investigations of subcontractor child labor violations signals a significant escalation in its fight to protect minors from dangerous working conditions.

The agency confirmed that its Wage and Hour Division is currently probing the companies as it delves into allegations that their subcontractors are illegally allowing children as young as 13 to work overnight to clean equipment in the meat companies’ facilities in Eastern Virginia.

It’s the latest case in recent months where the DOL has found children, particularly undocumented migrant children, ...