The U.S. Department of Labor has filed for a temporary restraining order on Fayette Janitorial Services, LLC to prevent employment of minors in plant-cleaning operations. According to documents submitted to the U.S. District Court for the northern district of Iowa, the company has employed minors in sanitation activities at plants in Iowa and Virginia.
A spokesperson for Perdue Farms that terminated the contract with Fayette prior to the Department of Labor action, stated, “Underage labor has no place in our business or in our industry. Perdue has strong safeguards in place to ensure that all associates are legally eligible to work in our facilities and we expect the same of our vendors.”
The Department of Labor is intent on enforcing federal law relating to employment of children in dangerous occupations and generally safeguarding workers.
Fayette Janitorial Services, LLC, based in Somerville, TN, operates in 30 states with 600 employees.
In addition to contravention of child labor laws, the investigation will also include possible trafficking and exploitation. If documented, cases will be referred to the Department of Justice.