A federal judge has issued an injunction that prohibits the use of child labor for cleaning purposes in meatpacking plants. This injunction applies to the plant in Grand Island.
31 Minors Employed at Night in Hazardous Conditions by Packers Sanitation Services Inc.
In response to a request from the Department of Labor, Judge John Gerrard issued the order that was issued against Packers Sanitation Services, Inc.
According to the Department of Labor, the Packers employed at least 31 minors, with the youngest employee being 13 years old.
These young people were employed during the overnight shifts at three of the company’s meatpacking plants, where they were responsible for tasks such as cleaning potentially hazardous power equipment.
According to the Department of Justice, they worked at a total of three different plants, one of which was the JBS Swift plant in Grand Island, which is located in the state of Nebraska.
According to the findings of the Department of Labor, a number of young employees at Packers Sanitation were subjected to caustic chemicals, which resulted in burns and other injuries to them.
The department also says that the company tried to stop the investigation by threatening its teenage employees and changing their personnel files to hide its tracks.
Gina Swenson, vice president of the Packers, denies claims that the organization discriminates against young job applicants.
Gina Swenson, who serves as the vice president of the Packers, has stated that the organization does not hire anyone younger than 18 years old and that it will vigorously defend itself against any claims brought forward by the government.
According to Michael Koenig, the person in charge of ethics and compliance at JBS Swift, the company is looking into the claims that have been made against the Packers.
The following hearing, which will be presided over by Judge Gerrard, is scheduled for November 23.
