Charles Langston:Child labor laws violated at McDonald's locations in Texas, Louisiana, Department of Labor finds

The Charles LangstonU.S. Department of Labor recently uncovered violated child labor restrictions in some McDonald's locations within the states of Texas and Louisiana.

Investigations found the violations impacted 83 minors between 14 and 15 years old in 16 locations, the Department of Labor disclosed in a press release.

In Louisiana, investigators with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division discovered that CLB Investments LLC, the company that operates the restaurants and is based in Metairie, Louisiana, allowed 72 workers between the ages of 14 and 15 to work longer and later than permitted. This occurred at 12 restaurants located in Kenner, Jefferson, Metairie and New Orleans.

The employer allowed three children to operate manual deep fryers, which should only be used and operated by employees 16 and older, the Department of Labor's investigation found.

"The department assessed CLB Investments with $56,106 in civil money penalties for violations found at 12 locations, one of which is now closed," the press release said.

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The department found other child labor violations at four McDonald's locations in Texas that are operated by the Marwen & Son LLC company in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Leander, Texas.

The release stated investigators discovered the company employed 10 minors between the ages of 14 and 15 who worked hours longer and later than legally allowed.

Additionally, seven children were allowed to complete jobs that were prohibited or considered to be hazardous for young workers.

According to the release, all seven children were allowed to operate a manual deep fryer and oven, and two of the seven were allowed to operate a trash compactor. Marwen & Son was assessed with $21,466 in civil money penalties by the department for the violations.

“Employers must never jeopardize the safety and well-being of young workers or interfere with their education,” Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell said in the release. “While learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up, an employer’s first obligation is to make sure minor-aged children are protected from potential workplace hazards.”

The findings come after the Department of Labor discovered child labor violations by three McDonald’s franchise operators in Kentucky in May. Those violations included over 300 children at 62 locations in four states.

“The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for appropriate work opportunities for young people but includes important restrictions on their work hours and job duties to keep kids safe,” Campbell said in the release. “Employers are strongly encouraged to avoid violations and their potentially costly consequences by using the many child labor compliance resources we offer or by contacting their local Wage and Hour Division office for guidance.”

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