JBS and Labor Department Settle Child Labor Case for $4M

The Labor Department has reached an agreement with JBS USA Food Co., the nation's largest meatpacking processor, to address child labor compliance issues. The agreement, signed on January 13, 2025, involves a $4 million payment to assist individuals and communities affected by unlawful child labor practices nationwide. Additionally, JBS will implement various measures to prevent and address child labor issues in its supply chain and facilities.



The agreement follows multiple investigations by the Department of Labor into third-party cleaning contractors at JBS facilities, which uncovered children working in illegal conditions and during prohibited hours. The agreement requires JBS to take several steps to ensure compliance with child labor laws, including:

1. Hiring a child-labor compliance specialist to review policies, develop training materials, and conduct unannounced audits.
2. Maintaining a toll-free ethics hotline for anonymous reporting of compliance concerns.
3. Incorporating a zero-tolerance policy for child labor in contracts with third-party sanitation firms and poultry catching service providers.
4. Conducting community outreach to educate communities about the prohibitions on child labor at meatpacking establishments.
5. Creating targeted advertising campaigns to raise awareness about unlawful child labor in specific states.
6. Requiring nationwide training on the prevention of illegal child labor for all third-party sanitation employers at JBS facilities and all JBS employees at meat-packing establishments.



JBS, which admits no liability as part of the agreement, has stated that it entered the agreement to set the standard for third-party contractors' compliance with labor and employment laws. The company has also taken steps to address child labor issues proactively, such as taking all sanitation services in-house and no longer working with third-party sanitation service providers.

The agreement between the Labor Department and JBS USA Food Co. highlights the importance of addressing child labor compliance issues in the meatpacking industry. By implementing concrete and enforceable solutions, JBS sets a standard for other market leaders in preventing illegal youth employment. The agreement also emphasizes the need for companies to hold their supply chains, third-party contractors, and service providers accountable for illegal child labor.

In conclusion, the settlement between the Labor Department and JBS USA Food Co. demonstrates the company's commitment to addressing child labor compliance issues and setting a standard for the meatpacking industry. The agreement requires JBS to implement various measures to prevent and address child labor issues, which will help to ensure a safer and more responsible work environment for employees in the industry.