ACCOMAC, Va.—Perdue Farms has agreed to pay $4 million in restitution after an investigation revealed the employment of children in hazardous jobs at a Virginia poultry plant, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday.
The violations at the Accomac facility included allowing children to perform dangerous tasks such as deboning chicken with electric knives and permitting them to work past 7 p.m. on school nights. These practices contravened the Fair Labor Standards Act.
“Perdue Farms holds a significant position in the poultry processing industry,” said Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda. “This agreement signals the company’s commitment to addressing child labor violations within its operations and highlights its broader corporate responsibility to combat child labor.”
The $4 million settlement will fund restitution for the affected children, organizations supporting child labor victims, and prevention initiatives. Additionally, Perdue will pay a $150,000 fine as part of the agreement.
The investigation also identified temporary staffing agencies, Staff Management Solutions LLC and SMX LLC, as jointly responsible for employing minors in prohibited roles at the Accomac plant. These agencies will collectively pay $125,000 in civil penalties.
In a statement, Perdue Farms emphasized its cooperation with the investigation and pledged to ensure compliance with labor laws moving forward.
This case underscores the importance of accountability within the poultry industry and the need to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.
