JBS Pledges $4 Million to Combat Illegal Child Labor and Support Affected Communities
JBS USA Food Co. has committed $4 million to support victims of illegal child labor and enforce stricter policies to prevent its occurrence within its supply chain.
The fight against illegal child labor has gained a major boost as JBS USA Food Co., one of the largest meatpacking processors in the U.S., has committed $4 million towards addressing the issue. This initiative is part of a broader agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor aimed at holding companies accountable for unlawful child labor practices, ensuring compliance across the meatpacking industry, and directly supporting impacted individuals and communities.
(We wrote about this issue before: Children Found Working in Iowa Meat Processing Plant)
A Landmark Agreement in Corporate Accountability
Under the agreement announced on January 13, JBS has pledged to take significant steps to prevent child labor within its operations and those of its third-party contractors. The company will also invest in public awareness campaigns and community programs to educate people about the dangers and legal implications of employing minors in hazardous roles.
Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman praised the company’s efforts, stating, “JBS USA Food Co. has adopted innovative compliance strategies to combat illegal child labor. Their commitment to accountability and direct action sets an important precedent for the industry.”
Prioritizing Community Support and Prevention
The funds allocated by JBS will be used to provide scholarships, stipends, and educational aid for affected individuals. Additionally, resources will be directed toward community organizations that offer job training, literacy programs, housing assistance, and English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching positions.
Priority funding will be directed to areas where past violations have been identified, including:
Guntersville, Alabama
Greeley, Colorado
Ottumwa, Iowa
Worthington, Minnesota
Grand Island, Nebraska
Beyond Financial Commitment: Concrete Preventative Measures
As part of its new compliance framework, JBS has outlined a series of measures to strengthen oversight and eliminate illegal child labor within its supply chain. These steps include:
Hosting an industry-wide symposium focused on preventing unlawful child labor.
Hiring a dedicated child labor compliance specialist to oversee policies, create training materials, and conduct unannounced audits.
Establishing a toll-free ethics hotline for confidential reporting of violations.
Implementing a zero-tolerance policy for any contractors found engaging in illegal child labor practices.
Enhancing contract enforcement by notifying the Department of Labor when terminating agreements due to violations.
Launching targeted awareness campaigns in Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
Conducting community outreach efforts to inform local populations about child labor laws and worker protections.
Requiring company-wide training on the prevention of child labor for both JBS employees and third-party contractors at its facilities.
Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda emphasized the importance of corporate responsibility in tackling child labor, stating, “Companies like JBS have a powerful role in preventing exploitation. Their leadership in addressing this issue can create industry-wide change and ensure safer working environments for all.”
JBS’s Role in the Industry and Ongoing Investigations
JBS USA Food Co., headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, is a leading meat processor with nine beef facilities and five pork plants across the U.S., supplying products to over 70 countries worldwide. The company is a subsidiary of JBS S.A., the world’s largest beef and pork processor, with over $50 billion in annual sales.
Since 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor has been investigating third-party contractors providing sanitation and poultry-catching services at meatpacking facilities. These investigations uncovered that minors were employed in hazardous roles, often working overnight shifts.
The enforcement efforts remain ongoing. In fiscal year 2024 alone, federal investigators identified over 4,000 cases of child labor violations, with more than 1,000 cases still under active investigation. Authorities continue to prioritize protecting minors and ensuring that labor laws are strictly followed.
A Call to Action for Workers and Employers
The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor encourages workers and employers to report any suspected child labor violations. Reports can be made confidentially through a toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The division also offers assistance in over 200 languages and provides extensive resources on child labor laws and prohibited hazardous jobs for minors.
Conclusion
JBS’s $4 million commitment is a significant step toward addressing illegal child labor and supporting affected communities. By implementing stricter compliance measures, enforcing ethical business practices, and funding educational and social programs, JBS aims to create long-term solutions that benefit workers, their families, and the industry as a whole. As enforcement efforts continue, collaboration between corporations, regulatory bodies, and communities remains crucial in eliminating child labor from the U.S. workforce.
Source: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/market-news/jbs-to-fund-4-million-towards-preventing-illegal-child-labor-supporting-victims