Business & Tech
Report: 'Widespread Violations' of Child Labor Laws Found at Hy-Vee, Fareway and Other Grocers
The U.S. Department of Labor found violations in 51 stores in Iowa and Nebraska and assessed more than $128,500 in fines, according to the report. Hy-Vee in West Des Moines is among the stores found in violation.
Several stores in the Hy-Vee and Fareway grocery chains, and other supermarkets, have been fined for"widespread violations" of federal child labor laws, according to a Des Moines Register report.
The U.S. Department of Labor found violations in 51 stores in Iowa and Nebraska and assessed more than $128,500 in fines, according to the report. Hy-Vee in West Des Moines is among the stores found in violation. The store had two violations for loading baler/compactor, according to information in the Register report.
The Register reports that violations included minors performing dangerous and prohibited duties, such as “loading and/or operating power-driving paper balers, meat slicers, bakery machines and operating a motor vehicle.”
Hy-Vee spokeswoman Ruth Comer told the Register that most of the violations were "in the spirit of helping" co-workers. The Register reported they couldn't reach Fareway for comment.
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Hy-Vee faces $62,000 in fines for 30 violations, and Fareway faces nearly $20,000 for 14 violations.
A U.S. Labor Department spokesman called the number of violations "worrisome," although no children were injured.
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