Madelia, MN Meat Processing Plant Accused of Child Labor Violations

Tony Downs Food Company in Madelia, MN has been accused of employing at least 8 youth—some as young as 14 years old. Additionally, several adults have come forward alleging they were hired with the meatpacking company well before the age of 18, one when they were just 13 years old.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is requesting a temporary restraining order and injunction against Tony Downs Food.

According to reports, the children are working overnight shifts in hazardous conditions and operating dangerous machinery such as meat grinders, industrial ovens, and forklifts. Injury reports suggest that some of the minors have been hurt on the job as well.

Minors are prohibited from working in hazardous conditions and also from working overnight, as stipulated in the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act.

Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is representing the state in this matter, released a statement, "Child labor — especially in dangerous industries, especially when employers exploit children and families from vulnerable communities — is an extremely serious social and economic ill that has ripple effects in every community.

Ellison continued, “It will take every level of government working cooperatively together, along with industry and public pressure, to solve it."

What do you think?

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