JSB and Perdue Farms agreed to settlements of $4 million each, while QSA, which employed 54 children, will pay $400,000.

Summary

The U.S. Labor Department announced three settlements this week addressing child labor violations in slaughterhouses.

QSI was fined $400,000 for employing 54 children on overnight shifts in 13 meatpacking plants across eight states.

Perdue Farms and JBS Foods each agreed to pay $4 million after similar violations.

These settlements are part of over 1,000 open child labor investigations nationwide.

The department emphasizes the responsibility of major meat companies and contractors to prevent hiring minors for hazardous jobs, which have led to injuries and fatalities.