Child labor laws dissolving across the US as fast-food child labor violations soar
A comprehensive analysis by The Washington Post has uncovered a troubling surge in child labor violations within the fast-food industry in the United States, highlighting major franchises like McDonald’s, Sonic, and Chick-fil-A. The violations raise serious concerns about the exploitation of young workers.
Disregard for young workers
The findings reveal a disturbing trend, with child labor violations more than tripling over the past decade and violations in the food service sector skyrocketing almost sixfold. The fast-food industry’s apparent disregard for child labor laws is alarming, as young workers, in some instances, are subjected to prolonged work hours and exposure to hazardous kitchen equipment.
Data from the U.S. labor department reveals that,
“In the first nine months of 2023, agency officials found more than 4,700 teenagers under 18 working in violation of federal child labor laws — more than three-quarters of those in food service.”